asked the Minister for Health the ratio of dentists to population (a) nationally and (b) in the Cavan-Monaghan Community care area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan-Monaghan Dental Service.
27.
The ratio of dentists to population is: (a) nationally — 1 per 3,300 of population; (b) Cavan-Monaghan Community Care Area—1 per 6,940 of population.
The ratio is very bad compared to the rest of the country. Can the Minister give any reason why this is so? Can he hold out any hope for any solution in the immediate future?
I am not aware of the reasons but I know the position is very serious. There are vacancies for four whole-time, permanent posts in the Cavan-Monaghan area. These were advertised, along with 29 other vacancies, throughout the health boards recently. Interviews to fill these posts are being held by the Local Appointments Commission at present.
Would the Minister give an assurance, because of the very special difficulties which he has recognised exist in Cavan-Monaghan, that these posts are not held up by the present embargo which appears to be absolute? When these dentists are available will they be appointed immediately? We are in the happier position now that more dentists are coming forward now than previously and, since they are available for appointment now, will the Minister ensure that the appointments will be made?
As far as possible, I will make sure there will be no delay in the filling of those vacancies. As the Deputy is aware, there are areas where it is difficult to appoint dentists and provide a service. This is being attended to at present and I hope it will not be long before the appointments are made.
Arising from the Minister's reply, I understand from Deputy O'Hanlon that the choice of private dentist scheme has been suspended since September. Could the Minister ensure that this scheme is continued because of the special need to involve private dentists in an area where there is such a major problem? How can the Minister expect the private dentists to co-operate if they are operating on a stop-go basis? Achieving the co-operation of the private dentists is very valuable and helpful but if it is on a stop-go basis, the private dentist is left without business, especially in a high medical card area——
A question Deputy, please.
I am trying to convey the very special problem which has arisen because of the stopping of the private choice of dentist scheme. Could the Minister, as a special measure, have that scheme re-established immediately?
I cannot give any such undertaking but surely the Deputy will accept that if the four posts which are at present before the Local Appointments Commission are filled, it will improve the situation immensely. I will look at the other points which he raised.
The Minister said earlier he was not aware of what health boards were doing in certain respects, in terms of the economics which they were making. He is now aware that the private choice of dentist scheme operating for medical card holders there has been stopped. Because of the very special needs which are borne out by his own figures showing that the problem there is at least twice as bad as anywhere else, would he consult with the Minister and with his Department of Finance colleagues to see if the minimal amount of money required to continue the choice of dentist scheme in that area is continued for the rest of this year?
The position there has been bad for a very long time and the Deputy must be well aware of that. Every effort has been made to improve the situation in relation to the choice of dentist scheme and a disruption of such a scheme. I accept that there can be and is disruption because of the allocations that were made to the various health boards. This is something into which I have to look to see if there is any way in which the position can be improved.
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for Tuesday, 10 November 1981.
May I have written replies to Questions Nos. 198 and 199 in my name?
Yes, Deputy.