Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the Irish Dental Association is seeking an increase in the dental treatment services scheme budget from €63 million to €80 million to meet the demands of the scheme and the restoration of preventative treatments for all medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding dental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29087/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Health his views that under the 1970 Health Act the Health Service Executive is obliged to take care of people's oral health and it is failing to do so at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29091/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding dental treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29092/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a recent study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29094/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the Ombudsman recently, in her annual report, stated that it is a sad reflection on a system when a person with decaying teeth who has no resources to fund private treatment has to put up with decaying teeth until their annual entitlement recommences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29097/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 99.5% of dentists reported that the cutbacks are causing patients to leave decay and gum disease untreated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 82% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting in pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29099/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reported an increase in gum disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29100/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting with loose teeth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29101/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 56% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting with broken dentures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29102/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 11.5% of dentists reported that patients are aware of their entitlement under the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reduced the working hours of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 64% of dentists decreased the number of staff working in their practice [29105/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 67% of dentists reported that there are referring more patients to hospitals as a direct result of the patient being unable to obtain treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the job losses in the dental sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29107/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 192 and 194 to 207, inclusive, together.

Unfortunately due to the current position of the public finances, it has been necessary to reduce the services available under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). However the Health Service Executive (HSE) has measures in place to ensure that patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs receive priority for treatment. In addition, a free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on the relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients.

In the current year to the end of August, treatments paid for under the DTSS included over 211,000 oral examinations, over 4,000 prophylaxis procedures (scaling and polishing), over 221,000 restorations (fillings) and almost 76,000 exodontic treatments. In addition over 17,500 prosthetics (dentures and denture reline) and over 15,700 denture repairs were provided. The operation of the DTSS will continue to be monitored to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources.

I am aware that the Ombudsman made reference to current restrictions on dental services in her Annual Report for 2010.The duty placed on the HSE to make dental services available to persons with full eligibility has to be read in conjunction with Section 7 of the Health Act 2004 which requires that the HSE have regard to the resources available to it and to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources.

Neither my Department nor the HSE have any functions in relation to the staffing of dentists' private practices. However, the Deputy may wish to note that in 2009 there was a net increase of 233 in the number of dentists contracted to provide services under the DTSS. During 2010 there was a net increase of 40 contracted dentists and in 2011, to date, there has been a net increase of 20 contracted dentists. Fees for dentists under the DTSS were reduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. A review of these fee reductions will commence in the near future. It should be noted that these reductions did not affect the income derived from dentists' private practices. Responsibility for the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme rests with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton TD.