Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to oblige medical card holders to register with a dental practitioner in view of recent restrictions to eligibility for dental care for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24944/10]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to the recently announced curtailment of benefits available to medical card holders for dental treatment and in view of the increased number of medical card holders over 2008 levels, if she will clarify her intention of retaining service at 2008 levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24947/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.

The Government's decision to limit the funding available to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was made in view of the current position of the public finances and the 60% increase in expenditure in the DTSS over the past five years. At my Department's request, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced measures to reduce DTSS expenditure. The intention is not to retain services at 2008 levels but to contain expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million, while protecting access to emergency dental care for medical card patients. There are no plans to oblige medical card holders to register with dental practitioners.