Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

No. The scheme specifies what treatments will be paid for so there was no danger that people would go off doing treatments that were not covered by the scheme. There is a probity process, which we fully support. The HSE inspects and ensures that dentists who claim payment for treatment have provided it and have done so appropriately. That is a feature of the scheme. I do not believe that is a cause for concern for the Department or the HSE. There is a long history of oral health just not being prioritised. That is the simple explanation.