asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the statement by the senior dental officer of Donegal County Council concerning inadequate dental services in County Donegal, with particular reference to the Inishowen Peninsula; if in view of the pressing need for extra personnel in the dental service he will arrange to have them provided; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Dental Services.
9.
I have seen the press statement attributed to the senior dental officer, Donegal County Council, about dental services in the Inishowen area. In common with most other health authorities the council are experiencing difficulty in providing dental services for all eligible persons in its functional area, due mainly to the shortage of dental staff. As mentioned in my reply to the Deputy's previous question, on 3rd December last, the council have endeavoured in recent years to build up its dental staff and, as a result, has succeeded in recruiting a senior dental officer and three wholetime dental officers. The council propose to continue their efforts to recruit additional wholetime dental officers with the object of improving dental services, particularly in the Inishowen area.
Would the Minister agree that the amount of money allocated for this service is most inadequate and that schools medical inspections cease very early in the year because of this?
The Local Appointments Commission have advertised these posts and applicants have not always been found. However, further arrangements are being made to advertise the posts again. As the Deputy may know, the actual salary scale for wholetime dental officers is now reasonably approaching the English level so there has been an improvement in the status and pay of dental officers throughout the country.
I accept what the Minister says, that it is difficult to obtain officers, but does he agree that the wages are not attractive and would he care to deny or confirm that the amount of money allocated for this service is most inadequate?
I have stated frankly to the House that the dental service is behind some of the other medical services. I have been perfectly frank about it. But in this case there can be provision in the Estimates for more dental officers in County Donegal. The salary scale is now £2,100 to £2,660 compared with the scale of £1,845 to £2,800 in similar positions in Britain. Therefore, the salary level is at least approaching the British level in our country where incomes, generally speaking, are much lower than those in Great Britain.