asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants who are at present on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board area; and when it is hoped that those on the list will be called for treatment.

The number of applicants who are currently on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board area is 3,217. The health board are not in a position to state when those on the list will be called for treatment because the board have not yet succeeded in recruiting a consultant orthodontist and are dependent on the services of private orthodontists.