Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

How long will it take for the dentist to get approval from the Department? If somebody tomorrow morning goes to the dentist and makes an appointment to start work on dentures, root canal work or bridging, how long will it take? The Minister stated the dentist has to get approval from the Department. Will that process take weeks or days? Will the fact the dentist made contact with the Department on 17 December be taken into account? Is that too late? There is ambiguity in the Minister's reply which requires further clarification.