asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost and installation cost of equipment for the fluoridation of existing piped water supplies, and the estimated annual cost of fluoridating such supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Floridation of Water Supplies.
3.
Mr. Ryan
As stated in paragraph 31 of the report of the Fluorine Consultative Council, the cost of a fluoridation programme will vary with the size of the community for which the programme is adopted and in Britain the cost, including allowance for capital costs, was stated to have varied from 3½d. to 7½d. per head per year. On this basis and having regard to the most recent figure available in relation to Great Britain, it is estimated that the annual cost of fluoridating the existing public piped water supplies in this country would be approximately £30,000. It is estimated that the total outlay covering the capital cost and the installation of the necessary equipment would be approximately £100,000 of which about £70,000 would represent the cost of the equipment.