Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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557. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to ensure that medical card holders in County Laois have access to dental services; if his attention has been drawn to difficulties medical card holders have in accessing dental services due to a number of dental practices in the county having opted out of the dental service treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47507/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that there has been a reduction in the numbers of dentists participating in the DTSS since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic and that some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home. I am assured by the HSE that they will assist anyone experiencing problems accessing a service in their locality.

Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS. The intention is to review the DTSS contract and to explore ways of mitigating the difficulties some patients are currently experiencing in accessing services.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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558. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in counties Laois and Offaly that have contracts with the HSE under the dental service treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47508/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.