Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State and I am pleased to note that the diploma is being funded by the HSE as part of an upskilling programme. One of the six dentists will be assigned to the HSE west area. Apart from the representations made by me, the Minister of State also received representations from the Galway Simon Community, which does great work, and the multidisciplinary team under Ms Joan Gavin, which lobbied strongly for funding. I hope that what the Minister of State says will be put in place. Many people feel that, even with various limited services available and the fillings and extractions allowed under the medical card, we do not meet the needs of a vulnerable group of people. Perhaps matters will improve and I give due credit to the Minister of State for the funding of chiropody and other services. Providing services for homeless people is complex. Depression and the insecurity of people living in hostels, friends' houses or in hospital and worrying about where they will go when they are discharged must also be dealt with. I hope the extra funding for the diploma will help. Everything should be done to meet the needs of a vulnerable group of people.

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