Seo mo chéad uair mar Aire úr agus gabhaim comhghairdeas le mo chomhleacaí agus tá súil agam go mbeidh comhoibriú againn go ceann cúig bhliain agus an Rialtas seo i réim. This is my first opportunity as Minister to take parliamentary questions and wish my colleagues every success. I am sure we will have a wonderful and fruitful working relationship over the next five years.
The dispute between my Department and the Irish Dental Association arose out of a claim by the association for substantial increases in the fees payable to dentists under the dental benefit scheme and the imposition of increased charges by some dentists, in breach of the contractual arrangements for the provision of dental benefit. The action by dentists started in early March this year. Patients continued to be treated under the scheme at that stage while efforts were made to find a solution to the underlying issue. In the absence of a resolution my Department ceased to accept claims from dentists who were not prepared to adhere to the contractual arrangements in early August. However, the scheme continued to operate and patients continued to be treated by dentists who were prepared to adhere to these contracts.
Due to the progress made in recent discussions with the Irish Dental Association, the association agreed to recommend to its members to return to operating the scheme. The level of inquiries from dental practitioners in relation to their patients' entitlements under the scheme are now at or close to pre-dispute levels. This suggests that most, if not all, dentists previously in dispute are operating the scheme.
To benefit under the scheme insured persons must be treated by a dentist who has contracted to provide services. During the dispute insured workers were advised through the press to check that their dentist was not imposing increased charges prior to starting treatment. Patients were advised that where dentists offered to treat people as private patients this was outside the terms of the scheme and the Department will not be in a position to refund any costs arising. Those who could not obtain treatment under the scheme during the short period when service was disrupted should now be able to receive treatment.
Because of a time lag between authorisation of claims and the issue of payments to dentists in respect of treatment provided, it will be some months before the impact of the resumption can be properly assessed. For the same reason it will be some months before the impact on scheme expenditure will be available.
I refute the insinuation in the Deputy's question that my objective in refusing to deal with dentists involved in this dispute was to save money. My objective was to preserve the scheme for the benefit of insured persons. This still remains my objective in the context of the discussions now taking place.