Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date which the Health Service Executive National Clinical Programme for Diabetes has made in developing a National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18134/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The working group is made up of a multi-disciplinary team with representation from a number of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Podiatrists, GPs etc. The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is also a member of this working group.

The National Diabetes Working group is working through a number of key objectives, including the implementation of projects such as Diabetes Retinopathy Screening and a multi-disciplinary Footcare package for patients with diabetes.

The National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which is working on care for children and adolescents with diabetes to be considered for inclusion in the 2012 HSE Service Plan - is also actively designing an Integrated Care solution, for inclusion within the Chronic Disease Watch process in collaboration with the Primary Care National Clinical Programme. With a newly established National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics, the whole area of improved services for children and adolescents with diabetes will be examined in detail and solutions worked through.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the obligation of the State under Section 67 of the Health Act 1970; if he has satisfied himself that the restrictions in the dental treatments available to medical card holders announced by the previous administration is not in conflict with this section of the Health Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18145/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Section 67 of the Health Act 1970 places an obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to make dental services and appliances available for persons with full eligibility without charge. In addition, section 7 of Health Act 2004 requires that the HSE have regard to the resources available to it and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources.

Oral healthcare is provided to children and those with special care requirements by the Public Dental Service. Dental services for other eligible patients are provided through the Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS). Given the current difficult position of the public finances, the budget for the DTSS has been capped at the 2008 level of €63 million. The HSE is working to ensure that patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs are prioritised for treatment. In addition, free emergency dental treatment and a free oral examination every 12 months are available to all eligible patients.