Vol. 441 No. 3
160 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the dental care offered to patients under the medical cards scheme in the Western Health Board area does not include denture treatment or the provision of dentures because of shortage of funds; and if he intends to increase the funding to the health board in order that these services can be restored to patients who require them.
I am aware that the adult dental service provided by the Western Health Board and by a number of other health boards falls short of what is required to meet the treatment needs of the adult population who have eligibility for dental services under the Health Acts.
In accordance with the Programme for Government I am preparing a development plan for the setting up of a structured adult dental service which will be phased in over the period of the programme to provide a satisfactory level of treatment. The provision of dentures for elderly adults has been identified as a priority.
Health boards will be provided with the additional resources necessary over the period of the programme to set up a structured adult dental service.
