James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she proposes to take to counteract the adverse impact on dental patients of the halving of tax relief in budget 2009 for patients who require non-routine dental treatments such as orthodontics, root canal treatments and periodontal treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45810/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department and the Health Research Board periodically sponsor epidemiological studies aimed at assessing the oral health status of the population. There is no evidence available to me at present to suggest that fiscal policy decisions such as the one referred to by the Deputy will result in a deterioration in the population's oral health. I intend to publish shortly a National Oral Health Policy aimed at delivering quality oral health services in a planned and cost effective way over the next ten years.