Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding health concerns associated with water fluoridation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39056/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The level of fluoride in drinking water in Ireland has been set at between 0.6-0.8 parts per million. This level of fluoride is deemed optimal for protecting the oral health of all age groups. European Council Directive 98/83 allows for a maximum permitted concentration of fluoride in drinking water up to 1.5mg/litre (or parts per million), almost twice the maximum level permitted in Ireland. In 2011 a review by the European Union Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risk (SCHER) concluded that there are no known negative health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. The balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, i.e. the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental caries, does not cause any ill effects and protects the oral health of the population.

The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. This review is due to be completed by the end of this year.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Health where the fluoride used in the Irish water supply comes from (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39057/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2013 the cost of supply and delivery of hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFSA), the chemical used for fluoridating water, was €1.7 million. The HFSA is sourced from Derivados del Fluor (DDF) in Spain and supplied and delivered by Chemifloc, a company based in Shannon, Co Clare.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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182. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the review of the Health Research Board into international evidence on water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39058/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. The report is due to be completed by the end of this year.