Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I note that the answer to my question on a mobile dental unit appears to be "No". I do not know whether the Minister of State or the Minister are aware that mobile dental units are used extensively in parts of England and are very successful. They deal with home care for patients who are confined to their homes, as well as everything else. The response from the Department is not correct. I presume the Department does not want the bother or inconvenience of providing a mobile unit.

I again refer to the 200 primary school children per week in the south of the county per week who will be affected. Over the course of six months that will amount to 5,000 children. The Minister of State said the HSE is considering providing transport, which is to be welcomed if it is followed through on. Will the Minister of State give a commitment to revert to me with a positive response to that proposal?

If not, 200 children per week will be unable to travel to Dundalk or Ardee. The least the Department and HSE could do would be to provide transport. I ask the Minister of State to press this issue with the Department and revert to me as soon as possible. Every week that goes past means 200 children are directly affected.

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