Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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736. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify the situation when a member of the public is unable to secure their own dentist; what he will do for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29854/23]

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. Services are provided by dentists who have a contract with the HSE. Eligible patients who are experiencing difficulty in accessing a service may seek assistance from local HSE services who can provide lists of DTSS contractors and, in exceptional circumstances, assist patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or by arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.

An additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a once-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including through a HSE ‘safety-net’ service for adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are having difficulty accessing a local dentist.