Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

As the Senator is aware, the Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. This includes the delivery of school dental services. Nonetheless, I am happy to explain the development of policy in this area and to convey the information provided by the chief officer for the executive's western area on the specific question raised.

Under section 67 of the Health Act 1970 and the Health (Dental Services for Children) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 248 of 2000), preschool children and children attending national school are eligible to receive dental treatment for defects noted at child health examinations. Child health examinations are provided by the Health Service Executive to children attending national school in accordance with section 66 of the Health Act 1970. Under the Act and regulations the HSE provides free dental examinations and limited treatment to children under six years of age, children attending national school and children up to 16 years of age who have attended national school.

In general the dental services provided are limited to oral examinations in schools, usually at second, fourth and sixth class and to emergency services provided at clinics or health centres. In certain circumstances and as an oral health promotion measure, fissure seals are provided in HSE clinics for children identified as requiring them during an oral health examination. These services are provided by public health dentists. In 2003, the latest year for which figures are available, there were approximately 450,000 children attending national schools in Ireland. All of these children are eligible to avail of the services provided under this scheme. I am informed by the chief officer of the HSE's western area that a vacancy arose late last year which affected the provision of the national schools service in the Ballinasloe area. The routine screening of national schools services in the area was particularly affected. As 14 dental teams are allocated to the school screening services in the western area of the HSE, vacancies will inevitably arise on occasion.