Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. In all our areas there have been major challenges. I work with families regularly, so I do know the challenges. I have listened to and taken on board the points the Deputy has made. I can assure her that addressing access to dental care, including for adult medical card holders, is a top priority for the Minister and the rest of the Government. A substantial additional investment in oral healthcare services has been made in recent years, but we need to address the issues that arise.

Fundamental reforms are also being progressed through the implementation of the national oral health policy. The policy sets out the vision for the future of oral healthcare services. While it will take several years to bring it to realisation, there will be early and continued emphasis on addressing the current issues.

The fundamental aspiration of the policy is that all Irish people will have their own so-called dental home, whereby they will build a lifelong relationship with a local dental practice or practices of their choosing for continuity of care. That is so important and I agree with it.

The policy has two goals: to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their personal best oral health and to improve access to dental care. These are so important. I am confident we can work on this, and we need to deliver on it. I will relay to the Minister my belief that we need to talk to representatives of the Irish Dental Association. That is important. I am not aware of whether meetings have taken place but I will definitely look into it and certainly bring the matter back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I thank the Deputy for raising this very important Topical Issue.

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