Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

This is an interesting amendment which I will have to address. Senators Browne and Bradford are seeking to amend section 66(2) of the Health Act 1970. That section is the provision which covers making available without charge a health examination and treatment service for pupils attending a national school. It is being amended within this Bill to cover all primary schools, hence Senator Browne has seized his legislative opportunity to clarify that dental health is encompassed by section 66(2) of the 1970 Act. Of course, however, the practice concerning the provision of health examinations of pupils attending primary schools has always encompassed the concept of a dental examination. Therefore, the Department takes the view that the relevant subsection has always covered dental health and that the concept of health is broad enough to include dental health.

Senator Henry makes the point that we have been slow in recognising dental health, but if one examines the section, the concept of health itself encompasses dental health for the purposes of that particular subsection. It cannot be qualified in this way in legislation, otherwise other forms of health care would be required to be included in the section as well.