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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Dental Service.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

42 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the VHI's proposal, currently under consideration, to pay for patients to travel to see dentists in Northern Ireland, where treatment costs are generally cheaper, should the VHI not reach an agreement on fees with dentists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/99]

The Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act, 1996, requires the Voluntary Health Insurance Board to obtain the consent of the Minister for Health and Children to schemes of health insurance or health-related insurance it wishes to make available. I do not have before me for consideration, nor have I received, any request from the board for such consent in respect of a scheme to pay for patients to travel to see dentists in Northern Ireland.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is entirely a matter for the board to formulate details of proposed schemes, some of which may be commercially sensitive, and it would not assist the process for me to express a view in that regard without first having had the opportunity to consider the full and final details of any proposed schemes.

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