Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reasons persons with medical cards are being refused dentures and similar dental treatment; if her Department has completed a review of the medical card dental scheme; when Dáil Éireann will see this review of the scheme; and when the service will return to its expected level. [28629/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Dental Treatment Services 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. Also, the development of a National Oral Health Policy, which was recently announced by me, will include in its work the possibility of streamlining the existing state-funded dental schemes.

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. 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. If an eligible patient cannot access the services of a dentist because the dentist has resigned from the DTSS, that patient may approach any dentist within the Scheme for treatment.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her Department's procedure for procurement of drugs for the medical card scheme; if her Department negotiates directly for these drugs, or if it uses six European countries as a standard for this purpose; and if her Department uses the six EU countries, which six countries are used for that function. [28631/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is also responsible for the negotiation of the supply of drugs and medicines for the GMS and community drugs schemes. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the issue raised by the Deputy. 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.