Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to review the decision to impose cuts to the dental benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2654/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Treatment Benefit scheme is paid from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). Although the SIF has operated a surplus since 1996, this position began to change last year, and expenditure had to be partially funded from the accumulated Exchequer surplus. It is estimated that the accumulated surplus will be completely exhausted in the first half of 2010, and that Exchequer will be required to subvent the SIF by in excess of €1 billion. The expenditure pressures on the Fund will continue in the near future. Against this background, the most pressing needs right now are to ease the pressure on the SIF and to get the public finances back on track.

The Dental Examinations have been retained. This is intended to encourage customers to continue attending for checkups and so to address some of the concerns expressed regarding the population's dental health.

I would emphasise that the Treatment Benefit scheme has not been abolished, only revised for 2010. Although the scheme has been limited to examination only for 2010, customers will still qualify in the normal way through their PRSI contributions. The scheme will be reviewed again towards the end of the year, when a further decision will be made taking account of the prevailing circumstances at that time.