David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will read into the record a response to a parliamentary question I received on this issue. I asked the Minister about his plans to increase the number of dentists working in the public service. The response came from the assistant national director for oral health. She says that the recruitment embargo is still in place and that relates to the number of staff employed by the HSE. She also states that the embargo does not allow the HSE to appoint any dental staff at present, other than at consultant level, and that while the embargo is in place, no additional staff will be appointed. It is quite clear from the response that while there may be an ambition to hire more staff, it simply cannot be done because of the embargo. That shows that the embargo is having an impact on front line healthcare and in this area. That is a political issue that I will not get into with the association.

I will turn to my final issue, which is important. I have discussed it privately with the Irish Dental Association and raised it publicly. It is the dental treatment service scheme, DTSS. I am looking at the most recent figures I received. In 2012, 1,452 dentists were registered with the scheme. Currently, there are 810 registered. Not all of those are active. The Minister for Health has appeared before the committee. He has asked the association to step up to the plate and encourage dentists to come back. We have an obligation to ensure medical card holders get the dental treatment they need. I understand there are issues with the contract and the association discussed those concerns with the committee in the past. Does Mr. Hourihan accept that it is a difficult situation that some medical card patients cannot access dental care because dentists have left the scheme? We want there to be engagement between the Minister and the association and we want action. We need this to be resolved. I have to ask Mr. Hourihan as the head of the association whether there is more the association can do to try to resolve this issue. These disputes are always resolved through dialogue. There must be goodwill and trust, but members of this committee all receive representations from our constituents who raise this with us all the time. I have also been lobbied by some of my party colleagues who represent different parts of the country in recent times. I want to put on the record my frustration that this issue has not been resolved. I agree that the Minister has a responsibility, but so does everyone. That is my point. I will give my final minute and a half to allow Mr. Hourihan respond on those issues.