asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to close down the dental treatment facilities at Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin and at St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin; and if he will state the number and names of hospitals on the north side of Dublin city where facilities, staff and beds are available for in-patient treatment of dental cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dental Treatment Facilities.
2.
I am not aware of any proposal to close down the dental treatment facilities at Temple Street Children's Hospital. A certain amount of dental treatment work on an out-patient basis is still being carried out at St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, and the question of its resuming specialised dental in-patient treatment is at present being considered by the Dublin Dental Hospital in consultation with the Eastern Health Board.
Facilities for the dental treatment of in-patients are available in all the larger general hospitals, including those in Dublin north city, but the demand for such treatment is usually associated with other conditions.
The Minister will no doubt be aware that there are only three general hospitals in the north side of the city as distinct from the numerous hospitals in the south side. Will he give an assurance that there will be no further curtailment of the dental facilities in the north side, particularly for children?
The Deputy probably knows there were certain staffing difficulties in St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park but there is no question of not continuing the facilities in Temple Street.