Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and join in welcoming the Minister to the House. This Adjournment matter concerns the need for the Minister for Health and Children to outline her intention to restore the school dental service to national schools in the Ballinasloe area, County Galway. Since the beginning of the school year the national schools in the area have been without school dentists. The vacancy has arisen through the resignation of the previous incumbent and her return to private practice in Northern Ireland. The consequences are very serious for pupils in both the urban and rural schools in the area. Some 25 national schools are served by the centre in Ballinasloe. As a result of this resignation and the failure to appoint a replacement there will be no school visits during this year. That will have serious consequences. Parents only have access if the child is in severe pain. These cases are referred to a centre in Galway. Every year 20 to 30 cases are referred for orthodontic treatment. This year, to date, no such referrals have taken place. There has been a deterioration of a service that should be available on demand.

This problem has occurred throughout County Galway over a number of years. We are allowing this service to grind to a halt. If it disappears, parents will have to seek private treatment for their children at huge cost. Both the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children and the Minister for Health and Children have promoted preventative care. How can that be reconciled with the current situation?

There will be a part-time worker in the position for two days a week. That will provide a service with no school visits. Pupils now in sixth class will leave the primary cycle without any referral for necessary treatment. When they are referred to the centre in Galway they will be dismissed. The consequences will be very serious. I ask that action be taken immediately. Why can the Health Service Executive in the western area not appoint dentists to the position to provide orthodontic and dental treatment? If it does, why do the dentists not remain in the position? Why is this area less attractive than others? A similar situation to that of Ballinasloe was highlighted in Loughrea two years ago. What is wrong? Why does a school dental service not exist in this area? I ask the Minister of State to take immediate steps towards a permanent appointment to serve the needs of the many children in the area who have lost out this year.