asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby patients awaiting dental treatment in the Buncrana area of County Donegal are being added to a list which is backdated to June 1974 and that on this basis of treatment it will be six years before they are called for attention.

I am aware that the North-Western Health Board have experienced considerable difficulty in recruiting dentists to work in the Buncrana area. Their difficulties in providing services for eligible patients are compounded by the fact that there are very few private dentists practising in the area.

The Board do provide dental services within three months of application for priority groups such as children, expectant and nursing mothers and persons suffering from infectious diseases. Any person requiring emergency treatment for the relief of pain is treated immediately.

Improved conditions for public dental officers and for private dentists providing services for health boards are being negotiated ar present. It is hoped that these will serve to improve dental services available in outlying areas such as Buncrana.

Question No. 82 has gone for written reply.