asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that, when Kerry County Council were deciding the rate for the year 1960-61, they provided money for the extension of the dental services for school-children to Castle-island, Dingle, and other towns in the county and that similar provision was made in the rate for the current financial year; and, if so, if he will state the cause of the delay in giving the proposal the necessary sanction.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Services for Kerry School Children.
4.
I am aware that Kerry County Council made provision in the rates for the years 1960/61 and 1961/62 for the cost of the extension of the dental services available to school-children in Caherciveen, Castle-island, Dingle, Kenmare and Killorglin.
The Council proposes that this service should be provided by private dentists remunerated on a sessional basis, i.e., on the same basis as already obtains for the provision of a similar service in the larger towns of Killarney, Listowel and Tralee. Now that the Council has agreed to the appointment of a Senior Dental Surgeon whose duties will include the co-ordination and supervision of the dental services in the county, I propose to approve of this extension. This and the other dental services in the county will be subject to review when the Senior Dental Surgeon has taken up duty and has had an opportunity of studying and reporting on the dental services in County Kerry.