Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

The HSE is divided into 17 different service areas. Within the service areas, there is a principal dental surgeon. He or she will be aware of the schools in the area and will know what dentists they have to visit schools and screen them. I cannot say whether they have a system for prioritising DEIS schools over other schools. The policy suggests that everyone should be afforded screening regardless but I would understand why DEIS schools could and should be prioritised. As to whether they are, I am not in a position to say.