asked the Minister for Education the proposals he has for replacing defective equipment, particularly in the department of conservative dentistry, in the Dental Hospital, Dublin.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dental Hospital.
29.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of discontent among the staff of the Dental Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mr. R. Burke
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
I am fully aware that conditions generally in the Dublin Dental Hospital are far from satisfactory. I had a meeting recently with members of the board of the hospital who clearly represented to me the feelings of the board and of the staff and students concerning the existing situation. For my part I had to tell the board, as I have so often told the House, that no lasting reform of the provision for dental education can be introduced until the future structure of higher education has first been determined by the Government.
I understand that the board of the hospital have the question of equipment in the hospital, particularly in the department of conservative dentistry, at present under urgent examination. This is a matter in which the board exercise primary responsibility. The dental education grant which my department provide annually towards the current expenses of the hospital is earmarked only in respect of the remuneration of the teaching staff. The remainder of the grant is, in conjunction with funds provided through the medium of the Department of Health, spent at the discretion of the board.