Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the impact which the limiting of the dental benefit scheme to examinations only will have on the oral health of those entitled to such benefit in view of the financial difficulties in which people find themselves [15364/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Treatment Benefit Scheme offers assistance towards the cost of Optical and Dental Treatment and the provision of Hearing aids. The 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, by the first half of 2010, the Exchequer will be required to subvent the SIF by over €1 billion.

The expenditure pressures on the Fund will continue in the near future. Therefore, the most pressing needs right now are to ease the pressure on the SIF and to get the public finances back on track. As part of a range of cost-saving measures, the Dental Benefit Scheme has been amended for 2010.

The treatments available under the scheme have been limited from 1 January 2010 to a free Dental Examination. The continued provision of the free examination will not only help identify routine dental problems but also more serious health issues. Its continuation should encourage people to continue attending for check-ups, and help address the concerns expressed about the general dental health of the public.

In 2009, the Department provided some 418,000 free Dental Examinations and current trends in 2010 indicate that a similar number will attend for the free examination this year.

In addition some 150,000 customers who had applied for approval to commence dental benefit treatments prior to 31 December, either directly to the Department or whose dentist applied on their behalf, will receive the full range of treatments available under the scheme as operated prior to 1 January 2010, provided their treatment commenced within three months of approval being given.

There is evidence that increased competition in the dental care market is having an effect on price. Shortly after the announcement of the changes to the scheme, one major dental chain announced a price cut of 30%, and the Irish Dental Association subsequently announced that its members would either freeze or reduce their prices. These developments, and anecdotal evidence of price reductions since then, are to be welcomed as they will make dental treatment more affordable for consumers.

Tax refunds are available from the Revenue Commissioners for certain kinds of more expensive dental treatment. The significantly increased number of customers with Medical Cards are also covered for treatment through the DTSS dental scheme operated by the Department of Health. These forms of cover, along with the retention of free Examinations and enhanced competition, mean that routine dental care should remain affordable and general oral health in Ireland will remain good.

The changes made to the dental benefit scheme will provide significant savings to the Exchequer in 2010. The Treatment Benefit scheme will be reviewed prior to the next budget, when a decision on its future structure will be made taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances at that time.