Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health the total spend on the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS, in the year to November 2011; the total budget set aside for the DTSS in 2011; the reasons for any differences between the two figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/11]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Health the total expenditure on the dental treatment services scheme between January and October 2011 and the same period in 2010; the number of eligible persons who availed of the DTSS between January and October 2011 and the same period in 2010; the total expenditure per person on the DTSS between January and October 2011 and the same period in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36520/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

The figures requested concerning the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) are set out in the table.

Due to the position of the public finances, funding for the DTSS was capped by the Government at €63 million in Budget 2010. Restrictions on the level of treatments available under the scheme were introduced in April 2010. Nevertheless the final expenditure in 2010 was €79.1 million which reflects the legacy from the more comprehensive scheme. The allocation for the Scheme in 2011 is also capped at €63 million. 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. The HSE will continue to monitor the operation of the DTSS to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources.