Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Health the status of work to draft new legislation which would replace the Dentists Act 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45965/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is developing new legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985, and work on the preparation of the Dental Bill is progressing steadily in parallel with other competing legislative priorities. Drafting of the Scheme of the Bill has commenced, but is at an early stage.

Department officials are currently committed to drafting a Regulated Professions (Health & Social Care) (Amendment) Bill, the primary purpose of which is to amend all health profession regulatory Acts, including the Dentists Act, as a consequence of the transposition of the modernised Professional Qualifications Directive (2013/55/EU), and to address a number of other issues. This is a large and complex Bill, and is currently at an advanced stage of drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Council in liaison with my officials. Publication is expected by year-end.

Work on the Dental Bill will gain momentum once the Regulated Professions (Health & Social Care) (Amendment) Bill has been published and commences its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas.