Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the assistance which will be given to dentists to aid them with the extra costs of providing PPE and other costs associated with reopening after Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10479/20]
View answer725. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Health if the issue of PPE provision for dentists in the medical card system will be raised with the HSE in view of the fact PPE was promised some weeks ago and has not been provided [11623/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 725 together.
The Government has put in place a suite of measures to support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19 including a Restart grant for which application can be made on line to local authorities. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has published a Return to Work Safely Protocol, which is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority also provides information and advice for employers and employees in this regard.
The HPSC supports the use of the normal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in routine dentistry. The Dental Council has indicated that dentists should take a case by case assessment when deciding if additional PPE is warranted.
My Department is working with the HSE on the issue of PPE over and above that which is used in routine dentistry.
