Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2009
245 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 18; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37877/09]
View answerI received correspondence from the Irish Dental Association expressing concerns about the future of the dental benefit scheme. I had a meeting with them on 17 September where they indicated that they would return with "proposals which would achieve greater efficiencies while retaining the integrity of the scheme and minimise the impact on clients and their patients". No proposals have been received to date but Department officials expect to meet with them in the coming weeks.
The future of the dental benefit scheme will be considered as part of the Estimates and budget process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
