Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

Dentists are leaving the scheme because they are intensely frustrated with the limitations put on the treatment and care they can provide to patients. There is common agreement that the scheme needs to be replaced. There have been discussions on interim arrangements to tide things over until a new scheme is in place. I am concerned that might become the focus of efforts on the part of the Department and the HSE.

To answer the Cathaoirleach's opening question, the talks have still not begun. We are at a loss as to why that is. We can only assume it reflects the lack of priority being given to oral health by the Department. We met the Minister last April and he said that he wanted to see three-way talks take place between the Department, the HSE and the Irish Dental Association. We readily agreed to that. We are still waiting for a date. I was asked for a date and suggested some. We are still waiting for those talks to begin. It is incomprehensible to us why that is the case. There is continuous discussion and indications that this is going to happen and that there is a plan and a policy, yet nothing ever seems to happen.