Mr. Finian Judge:

I thank the Deputy for her questions on the DTSS. As she might recall, we launched a new Government-approved national oral health policy, Smile agus Sláinte in 2019. That policy was meant to provide the context for the review of the dental treatment services scheme. It was always the intention that the scheme would be aligned with the policies, principles and goals outlined in that new policy approved by the Government. As members know, the roll-out of that policy has, unfortunately, been delayed because of Covid-19. The review of the scheme has also been postponed because particular personnel resources have been assigned elsewhere.

The Deputy would know from responses given to the House by the Minister that he is fully committed to the review and our intention is to commence it as soon as resources can be freed from Covid-19 work to allow us do significant preparatory work before we even sit down with the representative organisation about the review. It is a scheme that goes back to the 1990s and we all accept it is very much out of date with the principles contained in the new policy. There is much work to be done there and our intention is that as soon as resources are freed, we can begin that work.