Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health the plan for the use of the €5 million funding announced in Budget 2023 to address backlogs in the HSE public dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14818/23]

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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660. To ask the Minister for Health if a decision has been made by his Department and the HSE that no additional dentists or dental team members will be hired under the €5 million funding announced in Budget 2023 to address backlogs in the HSE public dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14819/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.

There are challenges in the provision of dental services and patients of all ages are waiting longer than they should have to, to access care. This is not acceptable. I am responding to this by an unprecedented allocation of an additional €15 million in Budget 2023.

€5 million of this additional allocation is being invested to address backlogs in the HSE Public Dental Service. This is non-recurring funding which is being invested to support access to current services while reform of oral healthcare services proceeds, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy.

As the funding is non-recurring, recruitment of staff will not be involved. The initiative will support existing provision for both HSE and non-HSE staff to operate additional clinical sessions in which HSE patients will receive oral healthcare, for which they will receive a fixed fee per session.

The funding will support the HSE's targeted screening programme which invites children, usually in second and sixth classes, for a checkup with a HSE dentist, who will provide further treatment if needed.

This €5 million funding will also support the HSE to provide emergency care for adult medical card holders who are having difficulty accessing a local dentist under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.

Discussions are underway with the HSE to ensure this initiative is operational as soon as possible.