Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on an issue regarding dental and orthodontic treatment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26057/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Orthodontic treatment has never been covered under the Department's dental benefit scheme.

Changes introduced in Budget 2010 restricted the treatments available under the dental benefit scheme to an annual free examination. Currently, over 2 million PRSI contributors and their dependant spouses remain eligible for the free dental examination. In 2011, over 272,000 customers claimed a free dental examination at a cost of over €9 million.

While all social welfare expenditure is kept under review, there are no immediate plans to reverse the changes introduced in 2010.

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of teachers who made claims for jobseeker's benefit or allowance or other assistance during the Easter holidays of 2011 and Christmas holidays of 2011/12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25979/12]

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of teachers who made claims for jobseeker's benefit or allowance or other assistance and who presented Form UP2 on signing on with the Department, indicating that they had been paid a percentage in their pay in lieu of statutory holiday pay, during the Easter holidays 2011, summer holidays 2011 and Christmas holidays 2011/12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25980/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.

The Department of Social Protection records occupation details of people signing on the Live Register under various headings. Teachers are included in the category of "teaching professionals". However, as the occupational category of 'teaching professionals' includes occupations such as Special Needs Assistants and others, as well as teachers, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The table details the number of claims registered for Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit Credits by teaching professionals during the holiday periods specified.