asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint an orthodontist to the Eastern Health Board who would be available in local clinics.

19.

asked the Minister for Health the health boards in which he intends to appoint orthodontists.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.

Posts of orthodontist in the health board service are filled through the Local Appointments Commission. Five posts of consultant orthodontist have recently been referred by my Department to the Local Appointments Commission for filling. The commission advertised these posts a week ago and a competition is now in train. I would expect appointments to be made early in the New Year.

The five posts are located in the following health boards: Eastern Health Board, Mid-Western Health Board, NorthWestern Health Board, South-Eastern Health Board and the Western Health Board.

Could the Minister tell us how much the other three health boards are spending on orthodontics?

I do not have that information but I know that the cost of filling these appointments will be £100,000.

Can the Minister say where the orthodontist will be located when appointed?

I do not have that information in relation to the Eastern Health Board but I will find out and send on the information to the Deputy.

I appreciate that this has taken some time to bring to fruition but can the Minister give any indication of when this appointment will be made?

The commission advertised these posts a few weeks ago, the competition is now over and offers of appointments will be going out shortly. I expect they will take up their positions early in the New Year.