Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements which have been made for the care of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is in the care of the Health Service Executive. [19632/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the excessive delay in completing the review of the DTSS scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that medical card holders are being denied access to dental treatment due to this delay; and if she will take immediate steps to resolve this matter. [19635/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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. It would be incorrect to state that there is an excessive delay in completing this review. The issues involved are complex and my officials are working with the Attorney General's office to clarify the way forward.

The existing contractual arrangements with private dental practitioners under the DTSS for provision of dental services to eligible patients remain in place although I am aware that some dentists have indicated that they wish to resign from this scheme.

It should be noted that dentists withdrawing from the scheme are obliged to work a three months notice period. To date, 75 of those dentists who have indicated they will withdraw from the DTSS have actually done so; the total number of dentists in the DTSS is 1,198.

It should also be noted that the Primary Care Reimbursement Service of the HSE (formerly the GMS) has not noticed any significant decrease in either the number of claims or the amounts paid to dentists under the DTSS. I am also informed that the HSE are continuing to monitor service levels within the DTSS.