Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter. I apologise for my late arrival which was the result of a misapprehension that a division would be called at the conclusion of the debate on farming and the agrifood sector.

I have grave concern about the neglect of 2,500 schoolchildren in 24 national schools in the Loughrea and Portumna catchment area who have been without a dental service for almost two years. In addition, dental hours in the area have been reduced by half. This is due primarily to the early retirement from the dental service of a wonderful professional, which had a major impact on schoolchildren and their dental health. It is the second time such circumstances have arisen in the area in recent years.

It is an act of neglect of parents and children in south-east County Galway by the Health Service Executive in failing to provide the area with a locum until a permanent appointments is made. It strikes me that the organisation is trying to suppress the appointment of a dentist in the area and reallocate the money saved for use in other areas. There is no indication that the HSE has made a reasonable move to seek a replacement. Due to the illness and early retirement of the excellent dental surgeon in question, we feel once more neglected by the HSE locally. Given that similar vacancies in other areas have been filled almost immediately, why has the Loughrea-Portumna area been neglected again?

In the current economic climate, the service has come under great pressure as increasing numbers of children have become eligible to avail of it. While the service is important to national schoolchildren, it also serves children at second level up to 16 years and children with special needs, including those attending St. Dympna's day care centre in Portumna. There is also a gap up to the school leaving age of 16, and these people also have to go without.

There is no possibility of cover from the other areas adjoining this area, except in the case of emergencies, because the other dental surgeons in the adjoining areas are already stretched in dealing with waiting lists. I call for an immediate response from the HSE to fill this post and not to allow for this continued neglect. Nothing less is acceptable following this shameful neglect of the children, in particular those children with special needs. Whether the HSE neglect has taken place locally or at national level, this particular situation cannot be allowed to continue without an indication of a date for an appointment.

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