asked the Minister for Health if there are 1,500 patients on a waiting list for orthodontic treatment in County Cavan; that at the present rate of clearance it will take five years to clear the backlog; and if he will take steps to have a proper orthodontic service made available in the county.

At present there are about 1,800 children awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Cavan-Monaghan community care area of the North-Eastern Health Board. The majority of these children live in County Cavan. Under present arrangements it would take about five years to clear the waiting list. However, the North Eastern Health Board is finalising arrangements with Dublin Dental Hospital whereby the health board will fund a post of Registrar in Orthodontics at the Dental Hospital. The registrar will undergo higher training in orthodontics and will treat children from throughout the North Eastern Health Board area. The contribution which the Dublin Dental Hospital service can make to the reduction of the waiting list of children for orthodontic treatment is being reviewed at present.