asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to meet with the Irish Dental Association for the purpose of reaching an agreement on an integrated dental health plan; his views on whether it will be necessary before October 1987 — when spouses of insured workers will qualify for treatment — to define community dental health; his views on whether dental care on a national basis could best be served under one Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meetings with Irish Dental Association.
42.
As announced in the budget, the Government have decided to extend the existing social insurance treatment benefits scheme to the dependent spouses of qualified insured persons from October 1987.
I recently met with representatives of the Irish Dental Association to discuss the implementation of the extension in so far as it relates to dental benefit. In the course of the meeting I agreed that, in the context of the arrangements for the extension, a review could take place in order to consider if improvements could be made in the social welfare dental benefit scheme.
The representatives of the Irish Dental Association undertook to consider this with their executive in the context of the Government's decision to extend the scheme.
Those who will benefit under the extension will include dependent spouses of PAYE workers and dependent spouses of insured unemployed, of disability benefit recipients and of retirement and old age contributory pensioners. The extension is primarily targeted at providing the benefits of the scheme to wives working in the home. In relation to those matters which are the responsibility of the Minister for Health, I understand that that Minister proposes to have discussions with the Irish Dental Association shortly.
It is not necessary to define "community dental health" before October 1987, when dependent spouses of insured workers will qualify for dental benefit under the social insurance scheme.
The possibility of one Department taking over all responsibility for the provision of dental services has been raised before and will be considered in conjunction with the Minister for Health. In the meantime, I will be proceeding in October this year with the extension of cover under the social insurance scheme.