Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1249: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties which the changes introduced to the treatment benefit scheme restricting PRSI claimants who require dental treatment to free dental examinations is having for persons who require urgent dental care; if he has any plans to introduce a new scheme for PRSI claimants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32175/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The most pressing requirement is to get the public finances back on track. As part of a range of cost saving measures, the range of treatments available under the Dental Benefit Scheme was reduced in Budget 2010. The free examination is still available to customers to encourage them to continue attending for regular checkups.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the Treatment Benefit scheme and any such decision will have to reflect the economic realities of available funding and competing budgetary priorities.