Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 297: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the review of the dental treatment services scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14144/07]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 313: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with the Irish Dentists Association and ensure the provision of dental treatment for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14213/07]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 368: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the directive she has issued in relation to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14470/07]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 409: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the threat by many dentists to abandon the free dental treatment for medical card holders due to the failure of the Health Service Executive to complete a review of the medical card dental scheme with the Irish Dental Association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14628/07]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 483: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the review of the dental treatment services scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in completing the review will have a detrimental effect on access to dental treatment for medical cardholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15075/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 489: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures contemplated by her Department to ensure that essential dental treatment for medical card holders can continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15143/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 521: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the dental treatment services scheme in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15362/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 313, 368, 409, 483, 489 and 521 together.

The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides for a range of dental services for adult medical card holders from participating dentists holding contracts with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The DTSS Review Group was established in May 2006 to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE, the Health Service Employers Agency, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The Group is chaired by Mr Finbar Flood.

Since the Group was established, a legal issue has arisen with regard to the Competition Act 2002 as it relates to the negotiation of professional fees. The issues involved are complex and my officials are working with the Attorney General's office to clarify the way forward. In the meantime I have indicated to the I.D.A. that I am prepared to meet them to listen to their concerns.

I understand that the IDA has balloted its members on a proposal to withdraw the association's support from the DTSS and that this proposal has been carried. The existing contractual arrangements with private dental practitioners under the DTSS for the provision of dental services to eligible patients remain in place.