Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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2774. To ask the Minister for Health the reason free dental check-ups under the school dental scheme which were carried out in second, fourth and sixth class are now only available to children in sixth class; the reason for the complete withdrawal of the service in some rural towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39104/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.

Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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2775. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a long-term plan for school dental check-ups under the school dental scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39106/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, was published in 2019 and sets out Government policy regarding oral health services.

Currently dental care for children under 16 is provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE in accordance with 1994 Dental Health Action Plan, with a strong emphasis on prevention. This is delivered through targeted screening and prevention for school children at certain dental developmental milestones and for special needs groups.

Under the new Policy, all children up to 16 years will have available to them eight oral healthcare packages consisting of examinations, assessments (including orthodontic assessments), advice, prevention interventions, emergency care and referral as appropriate. The packages will be provided in a primary care setting by oral healthcare practitioners contracted by the HSE. The roll-out of these packages of care will take place incrementally.

Forty-one actions were identified within the Policy, which will be delivered over the next six to seven years. Nine priorities were identified for the first three years following publication of the Policy, one of which is to progress prevention and primary care packages for children up to 16 years of age. Despite the current public health emergency, work to prepare for implementation is being undertaken in my Department and progress is being made on the Priority Actions identified in the Policy in the areas within my Department's remit.