Vol. 410 No. 7
73 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in relation to negotiations with the Irish Dental Association in the context of resolving the dispute on the PRSI dental benefit scheme; if there will be a full scale of treatments made available to all PRSI participants in the scheme and a financial fee agreed between all parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
76 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the up-to-date position regarding the dispute/discussions with the dental association; and if he will confirm that no persons, who have the required number of contributions, should be refused dental treatment.
78 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he has resolved the disagreement with the dentists' association regarding the operation of the treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
79 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to resolve the ongoing dispute between his Department and members of the dental profession which has resulted in further hardship for persons insured under the PRSI scheme, who are not only restricted in their choice of dentist because of the number of dentists who have opted out of the scheme, but have to cope with further frustration due to the fact that in some cases dentists who have agreed to accept PRSI patients will not carry out tooth extractions because of a further dispute regarding charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
82 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the latest position in regard to the dispute with the Irish Dental Association which has blocked dental services for the spouses of insured workers; the number of spouses of insured workers who were treated during 1990; the number of spouses for whom services were unavailable as a result of the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 73, 76, 78, 79 and 82 together.
The dispute between my Department and the Irish Dental Association arose because of the opposition of the association to the extension of the dental benefit scheme to dependent spouses of insured workers in 1987. As part of their opposition to the extension, the association have called on their members to discontinue providing certain treatments for all insured persons. As a result, some dentists are imposing charges, which are not in accordance with their contracts, for extractions, root treatments and dentures.
Discussions are continuing between officials of my Department and the Irish Dental Association in an effort to resolve this dispute. To date 276 dentists have signed the new agreement.
92,913 claims for dental benefit have been received to date from dependent spouses since the extension of the scheme in 1987. In 1990, a total of 25,125 claims for dental benefit were received from dependent spouses.
74 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is eligible for PRSI dental benefit on her husband's insurance; if he will outline the dentists in County Wexford who are participating in the scheme; and if he has satisfied himself that there is an adequate availability of dentists operating the scheme to ensure that eligible persons have cover.
75 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of dentists and the names operating the PRSI dental scheme in County Wexford; and the steps which are taken to ensure that adequate cover is available to all eligible persons and their spouses in the country.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
The contribution conditions for entitlement to dental benefit are satisfied on the insurance record of the husband in this case. The person concerned would therefore be eligible for dental benefit provided she is a dependant. No claim for dental benefit has been received on her behalf.
