Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect to be seen by an occupational therapist. [14822/10]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason it took eight years for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to receive a letter advising them that they are on a waiting list to be assessed by an occupational therapist; her views on whether this is satisfactory treatment; the action that will be taken to prevent this from happening to another person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14871/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 288 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there has been any modification of the proposed alteration to dental services for medical card patients in view of the serious concern that this will lead to the extraction of teeth that would be more appropriately treated by filling or other treatment; if she will ensure that the long-term dental health of patients is not adversely affected by reviewing the planned changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14835/10]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the clinical advice that was used for the decision to reduce dental services to people with medical cards; the way she will ensure the needs of patients are addressed in the context of changes to the delivery of dental services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15217/10]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the changes she proposes to make to the dental treatment services scheme in order to make the €30 million savings announced in Budget 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15268/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 369 and 380 together.

The Government decided in the context of Budget 2010 that spending by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) in 2010 should be limited to €63 million. This is the approximate level of expenditure on the DTSS in 2008. The reduction in DTSS expenditure reflects the imperative to achieve overall reductions in public expenditure, including health expenditure. The HSE has developed proposals aimed at containing DTSS expenditure which I am currently considering. No final decisions have yet been taken on the changes to be made to the DTSS.