Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018
166. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his plans for the progression of the review of the proposed dental Bill; the steps he plans to take to bring the revised legislation forward; the proposals in relation to dental hygienists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/18]
View answerWork is continuing in relation to the development of new legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985. The regulation and role of dental hygienists is being examined in the context of this new legislation.
A Regulatory Impact Analysis is currently underway, and the drafting of the Scheme of Bill, which is the next step in the process to develop the new legislation, has commenced, but it is at an early stage. Department officials are currently committed to drafting a priority Regulated Health Professions (Amendment) Bill, the primary purpose of which is to amend all health professional regulatory Acts as a consequence of the transposition of the Modernised Professional Qualifications Directive (2013/55/EU), and to address a number of other issues.
While the development of new dental legislation is a priority for me, work on the preparation of the Dental Bill will be progressed in line with competing legislative priorities.
