Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 was refused payment by the community welfare office. [19478/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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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.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the changes that have been made to the dental treatment service scheme in relation to adults and children in recent months; the services that are now available under this scheme for adults and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19484/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatment to medical cardholders over the age of 16. In line with the decision taken in Budget 2010, the HSE has introduced measures to contain DTSS expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million. This reflects the imperative to achieve overall reductions in public expenditure while providing essential health services to patients.

Under the new measures, some dental treatments will be limited and some will no longer be available. Other existing dental treatments will continue to be provided in circumstances where the dentist is satisfied of the patients' emergency clinical need. The HSE will monitor the ongoing effect of these changes from a clinical and budgetary perspective. The HSE will also be providing ongoing clinical guidance and advice to individual dentists in relation to the changes to the scheme.

These changes do not affect the Public Dental Service, which provides dental treatment to children and special needs patients.