asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 500 people in the North Western Health Board area, many of them old age pensioners, are unable to obtain dentures under the medical card scheme because of cancellations of this scheme arising from the Government health cuts; that many of these people have been waiting for two years; that some had their teeth extracted on the understanding that dentures would be provided; and if in view of this serious situation he will provide the necessary funds to enable the North Western Health Board to resume this very essential service immediately.
Written Answers. - Dental Medical Card Scheme.
97.
The level of operation of their dental services for the coming year, including the question of resuming the supply of dentures, will shortly be under consideration by the North Western Health Board in the light of their overall financial allocation for 1989.
It was due to my concern at the level of operation of health board dental services generally that earlier this year I set up a small working group under the chairmanship of my colleague Deputy Terry Leyden, Minister of State at my Department, to look into the situation and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to bring about improvements. I am at present examining the findings and recommendations contained in the working group's report.