asked the Minister for Health if he has negotiated with the Dental Association for further utilising the services of dentists in private practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Services.
100.
As I indicated in an earlier reply to the Deputy, it is proposed to have discussions shortly with the Irish Dental Association about making greater use of the services of dentists in private practice.
Is the Minister aware that he said this almost a year ago?
Various others——
I have a question for the Minister, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and I should like him to answer it. Would the Minister answer that question? He made the statement a year ago that he was proposing to negotiate shortly.
That is right.
This is a year later.
It was not necessarily my fault if negotiations have not taken place. I will not add any more to that.
101.
asked the Minister for Health if he has given further consideration to the suggestion that newly qualified dental surgeons will be asked to devote their first year to the public service.
I mentioned this suggestion in my reply to the debate on the Estimates for my Department for the year 1967-68. In my further examination of it, I have, of course, also to consider the position which obtains in other professional fields. I have not, as yet, come to a final decision about this possibility.