Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 455: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive north east taxi contract was last put to tender; the details of the arrangements currently in place; when it will be put to tender again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31199/09]

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

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 456: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who availed of optical benefit schemes between 2007 and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31203/09]

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

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who availed of dental benefit schemes between 2007 and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31204/09]

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

The Health Service Executive provides a scheme of dental services for adult medical card holders under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). As the DTSS is the responsibility of the Executive, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to you.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs provides a scheme of dental services under the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS). I am advised that the Department of Social and Family Affairs does not record the number of individuals who avail of its scheme. However, the numbers of claims paid for the periods in question are as follows:

2007 634,077

2008 675,578

2009 (incl Sept.) 539,791