Vol. 442 No. 2
136 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to upgrade the national school dental service for County Carlow in view of the fact that children in national schools in County Carlow are only examined in 6th class; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I recently announced in the national health strategy the deficiencies in the public dental service will be tackled over the next four years in the context of an integrated dental development plan based on the principles of equity, quality of service and accountability.
National school dental services throughout the country will be developed to ensure that a number of classes are screened annually and that treatment is provided as necessary. It is my intention to ensure that variations between health boards and within health boards which can adversely affect access to and quality of the services provided at local level are removed. To this end, cognisance will be taken of particular requirements of individual health boards.
At present my Department is addressing the detailed resource requirements for the phased implementation of the dental plan in conjunction with the health boards. My Department is in consultation with the South Eastern Health Board regarding its requirements with a view to commencing the development plan for their area, including Carlow, this year and over the period of the Programme for a Partnership Government as resources allow.
