Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts that are being made to reduce the waiting time for orthodontic treatment for children in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50925/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times. These include prioritisation of the filling of permanent vacancies, treatment waiting list initiatives, services improvement initiatives and access to orthodontic services outside the jurisdiction.

A current HSE procurement framework in orthodontics covers grade 4 patients (children and young people) who can been seen in community settings and have been waiting 4 years or more to commence treatment following assessment. Patients meeting these criteria can avail of treatments with a private Specialist Orthodontist. The grade 4 HSE procurement mechanism received additional funding of €4.1m in 2022 as part of the Waiting List Action Plan. To date, over 1600 Grade 4 patients have been seen under the framework. This initiative will continue in 2023.

The option of the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme may be available to patients, whereby patients can choose to go to Northern Ireland for treatment. This option is managed through a National Service and has a separate funding structure to the Orthodontic Service.