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

I have taken the Deputy's points on board. She also spoke about Cavan, which was the one over the one-year period. I will bring that back to the Minister. The Government is committed to addressing immediate difficulties patients are experiencing in accessing oral healthcare services as well as fundamentally reforming dental services through the implementation of the Smile agus Sláinte programme.

The two key goals of the policy are to provide supports to enable every individual to achieve their personal best oral healthcare and to reduce oral health inequalities across the population by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health. I can assure the Deputy that these are priorities for the Government. I do see the frustration. I am a mother and now have grandchildren so I know how important early access to oral healthcare is. Dental services are so important for us. I am very mindful of that.

The implementation plan will be published and will set out intended milestones and timing for the first phase and reform of the service for adults and children will be among the initial priorities. I am confident that by working together across relevant Department agencies and other stakeholders in line with their respective roles and responsibilities, the goals of the policies will be met to benefit children nationally and in the county of Monaghan. I thank the Deputy for raising a really important issue. I can assure her that the Government is committed to working on this.

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