asked the Minister for Health the date on which orthodontic services for children in the Dublin region ceased; the total number of children awaiting assessment at present; and when the service will be resumed.

I am informed by the Eastern Health Board that orthodontic services for children in the Dublin region did not cease. They continued to be provided for those who were receiving active treatment but, from February of this year, the health board deferred commencing treatment for new cases requiring corrective appliances. Since the beginning of October the provision of treatment has been resumed.

The need for orthodontic treatment normally emerges at school dental examination and treatment services and assessment of the need is therefore a continuing process.

Has the Minister any information of the numbers awaiting assessment and treatment?

That information should have been included in the reply. The number of children awaiting assessment is 2,500, while the number being treated is 1,500.

Can the Minister indicate when those 2,500 will have the service available to them?

I cannot answer that specifically but the emphasis is on the basic dental services. I am not saying that orthodontic treatment is unnecessary. It is very necessary in respect of some children; but until such time as the basic dental services are improved I do not think it will be possible to make any substantial improvement in the orthodontic services.

Therefore the Minister is saying that 2,500 children who have been assessed as being in need of orthodontic treatment must continue to bear the disfigurements or impediments from which they are suffering.

In so far as the impediments are concerned there would be priority in respect of those cases in which there is an interference with general health because of crooked teeth, the non-alignment of teeth or the fact that a child has too many teeth.