asked the Minister for Health if he will state, in respect of Limerick City, (i) the estimated cost of providing a dental service, (ii) the amount which will be contributed by his Department, and (iii) when service will be in operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Services.
The Limerick Corporation is already making a dental service available on a restricted scale for the classes that are at present eligible for such services, that is, for persons who, broadly speaking, are in the lower income group and the dependents of such persons, for pupils of national schools in respect of defects discovered at school health examinations and for children under six years of age attending child welfare clinics in respect of defects discovered at such clinics. Any immediate expansion of dental services is to meet the requirements of those classes. Further groups are not being covered for the present.
The additional cost of providing improved dental services will depend on the extent to which additional staff is employed by the corporation to meet requirements. I have not yet received the proposals of the local authority in the matter and it is not possible, therefore, to indicate what the additional cost is likely to be in the coming financial year.
In so far as the contribution to be made towards the cost involved in improving dental services is concerned, the normal contribution from the Exchequer is 50 per cent. but, as I informed a deputation from the corporation which I saw recently, I am examining specially the financing of health service schemes in Limerick City.