asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the long waiting list for dental treatment for medical card holders.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment.
133.
It is a matter for the health boards to allocate the funds available to them between the different services they provide and therefore the implementation of improvements in the level of dental service provided is a matter for the boards in the first instance.
However, I have recently appointed a small working group under the chairmanship of my colleague, Deputy Terry Leyden, Minister of State to review the delivery of dental services and to make recommendations on how best to improve their delivery.
My Department is also engaged in discussions with the Irish Dental Association on the organisation of the health board dental services while discussions have also taken place with the Dublin Dental Hospital with a view to ensuring that the number of eligible patients treated at the hospital is increased.