asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that many thousands of social welfare contributors in the West of Ireland are unable to avail themselves of any dental treatment benefits from such contributions due to a long-standing dispute between dentists and his Department; if he is satisfied with such a situation; and the plans he has to rectify the matter immediately.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Eligibility.
165.
As already indicated in reply to earlier questions on this subject the names of certain dentists in County Mayo were removed from the dental panel in 1978 for refusing to comply with the terms of their agreement. A further six dentists in the area withdrew from the scheme in sympathy with their colleagues.
There are still a number of dentists operating the scheme in the county. Insured persons who are qualified under the scheme and who are unable to obtain treatment in their own area are allowed travelling or other expenses necessarily incurred in going to another dentist on the panel in County Mayo or in neighbouring counties.
I should like to add that the private dental practitioners who enrol on the Social Welfare Dental Benefit Panel do so on an individual basis and I would welcome any application from the County Mayo dentists involved to rejoin the scheme.