Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the dental treatment services scheme; the number of persons eligible for the DTSS for each of the past five years; the cost of the scheme for each of the past five years; the breakdown of the cost of the scheme for each of these years; the impact savings of €30 million will have on the treatments and services offered under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48508/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was established in 1994 providing a range of dental services to medical card holders. The scheme is delivered by dental practitioners holding contracts with the HSE.

Yr.Cost of the Scheme over last five years is as follows:Number of Medical Card Holders@ 31st December as follows:Number of treatments over the last five years as follows:
2005€54,402,901.001,155,7271,069,402
2006€55,448,432.001,221,6951,095,919
2007€58,145,888.001,276,1781,078.878
2008€64,158,290.391,352,1201,195,945
2009€86,187,209.631,472,115 @ 30 Nov. '09Not yet available

It has been decided to put a cash limit on Dental Treatment Services Scheme this year - based on the expenditure incurred by the scheme in 2008. My Department has asked the HSE to examine the means of achieving this and expects to have their proposals on the matter shortly. My Department has also asked the HSE to furnish the Deputy with a breakdown of the cost of the individual treatment items within the scheme for each of the above years.

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