Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

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 set out the position as regards the development of policy in this area, as well as to convey the information provided by the Health Service Executive on the specific question raised by the Senator.

At present children in specific classes in national school, usually second, fourth and sixth class, are targeted for preventive measures under the school-based approach. The children in these classes are screened and referred for treatment as necessary. The programme has been specifically designed to ensure that children are dentally fit before they leave national school. The screening provided in second, fourth and sixth classes ensures that follow up appointments for examination, treatment or orthodontic review are made, as necessary, with the dental surgeon in the clinic designated for the particular school.

The Health (Amendment) Act 1994 amended the Health Act 1970. The regulations made under this Act — the Health (Dental Services for Children) Regulations 2000 — extended eligibility for free primary dental care to all children under 16 years of age, who have attended national school. Additional funding of over €5 million has been provided to the health service for this extension of eligibility.

The Department of Health and Children has been informed by the Health Service Executive that the vacancy arose at the dental clinic at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, when the dentist working there moved away. Furthermore, the Department has been informed that the dental department of the Health Service Executive, western area, has a policy to recruit dentists wherever and whenever a vacancy arises. At present the Health Service Executive, western area, is pursuing a recruitment campaign in respect of vacant dental posts, including the post in Ballinasloe. In the meantime there is provision in the western area of the Health Service Executive for emergency treatment for all children under 16 years of age to be available where required.

There are ten dental teams delivering the school screening services in the Galway area of the Health Service Executive and it is inevitable that vacancies will arise from time to time. I am satisfied, based on the information provided by the Health Service Executive, that where such vacancies arise the process of recruitment is initiated in a timely manner.