Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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712. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1399 of 24 March 2021, the progress made in reviewing the dental treatment services scheme; the result of engagements he has had with the dental community in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have given a commitment to a substantive review of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTTS), which will include fees paid to dentists. I have also acknowledged the immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.

Officials from my Department and from the HSE have held two rounds of discussions with the Irish Dental Association, the most recent on 17 December last when my Department and the HSE presented proposals to invest additional resources in the DTTS including €10m provided in the Budget, on top of the 2022 Estimate allocation of €56 million.

The Department/HSE has offered increased fees across a number of items and proposed the reintroduction of the Scale and Polish item.

These proposals were expedited to address not only the problem of access for patients, but also concerns expressed by dentists about the viability of the DTSS, and to some extent, to bring about alignment with the Dental Treatment Benefits Scheme, which is widely operated by dentists for PRSI patients.

The Department wishes to move the process on, in the interests of patients, and is hoping to meet the Irish Dental Association again in the next couple of weeks to progress matters.