Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue, which is one I discussed with the Minister for Health on Monday, I think, at the Cabinet committee on health. There may well be a particular challenge in Carrigaline and in parts of Cork but the Deputy is right to suggest that it is a more national challenge. I know the Minister for Health and his Department have given consideration to what measures can be taken. We can point to increased number of dentists, etc., but that misses the point in terms of the number of people on the medical card who are reliant on the DTSS. I know the Department of Health is giving policy consideration to what steps can be taken. I will ask the Minister for Health to revert to the Deputy directly.

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