Vol. 508 No. 3
220 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to extend the age limit from 14 to 16 years for persons receiving free dental treatment from the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18999/99]
The dental health action plan provides for the extension of free dental services to children, who have attended national school, up to 16 years of age.
221 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if back-up services, such as dental treatment, will be available to a person (details supplied) after he reaches 14 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19000/99]
The dental health action plan provides for the extension of free dental services to children, who have attended national school, up to 16 years of age. It is my intention to complete this extension of services as soon as negotiations with the staff associations, currently taking place at the Health Service Employers Agency, on the restructuring of the health board dental service are satisfactorily concluded.
As the provision of dental treatment for eligible persons in Dublin is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
