Vol. 567 No. 1
287 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is such a cost discrepancy between dental work in the Republic compared to Northern Ireland; the action he is taking to address the differential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13338/03]
My Department has no role in regulating the cost of private dental treatment. Under the dental treatment services scheme, which is administered by my Department and the health boards, adult medical card holders receive a range of dental treatments free of charge from mainly private dental practitioners. The costs for these treatments are agreed in negotiations involving the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Dental Association and reflect, in the main, a discount on the fees charged privately.
