I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The Government's decision to limit the funding available to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was made in view of the current position of the public finances and the 60% increase in expenditure in the DTSS over the past five years. At my Department's request, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced measures to reduce DTSS expenditure. The intention is not to retain services at 2008 levels but to contain expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million, while protecting access to emergency dental care for medical card patients. There are no plans to oblige medical card holders to register with dental practitioners.