Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health with regard to the application of fluoride to drinking water here, if he will confirm that the contract to supply fluoride is due for renewal soon; if he will confirm that a company (details supplied) is the supplier; if he will provide the contract date and the duration of the new contract; the cost to the State of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45000/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Chemifloc Ltd. is the company contracted by the HSE for the supply and delivery of hydrofluosilicic acid for the purpose of water fluoridation. The current contract with the HSE came into effect on 1st October 2009. The initial contract was for a period of 3 years with an option for an extension of two years. Following renegotiation with the supplier, the contract has been extended until 30th September 2014. The cost in 2011 was approximately €1.7m. This includes VAT and supply of the acid to water treatment plants operated by and on behalf of local authorities.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the Health Service Executive commenced using silicofluoride chemicals for water fluoridation instead of sodium fluoride; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45005/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The use of liquid fluosilicilic acid in water fluoridation commenced in the 1970s. Sodium fluoride had been used when fluoridation of public water supplies commenced in the 1960s but was replaced as there was a tendency for the powder to become solid.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm the exact dates on which the Health Service Executive started using hydrofluorosilicic/hexafluorisilicic acid that was sourced from industrial scrubbers from a supplier in the Netherlands; if he will confirm the date on which this contract was terminated and replaced with a supplier in Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45008/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the financial costs associated with capital infrastructure for the installation of over 250 fluoridation systems in water treatment facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45010/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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There are currently over 250 water treatment plants with fluoridation systems. The estimated financial costs associated with capital infrastructure over the last three years are as follows: