Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Health if in view of the growing scientific doubt as to the benefit of fluoridation of public water supplies and in recognition that Ireland is one of last remaining countries in Europe not to have discontinued this practice, he will exit the current three year minimum contract for water fluoridation when the opportunity to do so arises in November 2012. [33640/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Forum on Fluoridation advised in 2002 that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters.

The Expert Body confirms that, based on the review of all previous and current international and national scientific data, the balance of this scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be effective for protecting the oral health of all age groups. The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its 'Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water' in 2011. The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. There is also extensive evidence in Ireland from a series of national, regional and cross-border studies conducted between 1984 and 2006 that fluoridated drinking water substantially improves the dental health of children and adults.

The Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 provides that the HSE make arrangements for the fluoridation of public water supplies. The HSE makes the necessary contractual arrangements in relation to these responsibilities. There are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.