Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - Dublin Dental Hospital.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

75 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate facilities available in the School of Dental Science and Dublin Dental Hospital which was planned to cater for 2,500 patients per annum and is now treating an average of 1,500 patients per week; if, in view of the excellent service which the Dental Hospital is providing, particularly for patients in the lower income group, and because of the immense effort made by the hospital to increase their income, he will agree to make a substantial grant available to the Dental Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

My attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced at the Dublin dental school and hospital. I recognise fully and appreciate the significant contribution made by the hospital in the provision of dental treatment to eligible persons under the health Acts, which is of the order of 70,000 patient visits each year. Each year I make a significant grant available to the hospital, which represents 50 per cent of the running costs. The balance is paid by my colleague the Minister for Education.

In 1991 the grant provided by my Department to the institution amounted to £.945 million. In 1992 this grant is £1.074 million representing an increase of 13.6 per cent on the original allocation for 1991. The capital funding for the Dublin dental school and hospital is provided through the Vote of the Department of Education and I propose to have early discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Education, in relation to the hospital.