Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health the procedure followed for the fluoridation of public water supplies; if it is carried out by a commercial entity; if so, the tender process followed; the value and duration of the contract. [19195/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the body charged with the fluoridation of public water supplies, as provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960. Local authorities undertake fluoridation on an agency basis for the HSE. The current supplier of hydrofluosilicic acid, the chemical used for fluoridating water, was selected following a formal EU tendering process. The contract began on 1 November 2009 for a minimum period of 36 months with the option to extend by a further 24 months. In 2010 the HSE spent approximately €4.78 million on fluoridation, of which approximately €1.36 million was spent on hydrofluorosilicic acid.