Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He is correct when he says that this is a very serious issue. Access to the GMS in dental capacities is very restrictive. I will talk to the Minister for Health in respect of this. My understanding is that Cork university dental hospital used to take public patients in the past. That was always the tradition. I will certainly pursue that specific issue with the Minister to see if we can unblock that. It would facilitate additional capacity in a situation where there are huge pressures.

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