Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting list of 900-plus grade 5 patients who are awaiting orthodontic treatment in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47121/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. I am aware of that there are currently significant delays in accessing this service and that the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times.

The HSE is developing service improvement initiatives to ensure that all referrals will receive an orthodontic assessment within 6 months and that the number of inappropriate referrals will be reduced.

Access to orthodontic treatment in another EU jurisdiction is also available under the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive for patients that are already on an orthodontic treatment waiting list. Many patients in border areas have accessed care in Northern Ireland through this route pre-Brexit. This is being continued through the Northern Ireland Planned Health Care Scheme.

As part of the question is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this, as soon as possible.