The health boards do not keep comparable waiting lists for orthondontic services. In some health boards the lists are comprised of those who are awaiting assessment while in others, those who have been assessed and are awaiting treatment. My Department are currently taking steps to ensure that all waiting lists are assembled on the same basis. I will be writing to the Deputy further on this matter when realistic figures are available.
What is clear is that the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment are too long. However, the Government made a special allocation of £300,000 available to the health boards late in 1989 to bring about an improvement in orthodontic services, while a further allocation from the 1990 budget provision of £3 million for dental services brings to about £1 million the additional amount provided for orthodontic services in recent months. These allocations demonstrate the Government's commitment to tackling the problems which have arisen. As I stated in the Dáil recently, these measures are the beginning of a continuous programme of action to boost services in these areas designed to eliminate the problems which have arisen, as quickly as possible.
It is not possible to state when treatment will be provided for children now joining the waiting list because arrangements for the delivery of orthodontic services are under review. The five vacant posts of consultant orthodontist in the health board dental service will be advertised again shortly with improved conditions of service. If these posts were filled it is anticipated that there would be a considerable improvement in the waiting times for orthodontic services.