Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2357.To ask the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting public dental treatment in counties Louth and Meath; and the length of time they are awaiting treatment. [32684/24]

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.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2358.To ask the Minister for Health his views on the school dental services in Louth and Meath, including details regarding whether all recommended checks are being provided to primary school children; the number of children in the backlog; when he expects the backlog to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32685/24]

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.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2359.To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the dental treatment service scheme contract talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32686/24]

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. The Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

As part of ongoing engagement with the Irish Dental Association (IDA), officials from my Department met with IDA representatives most recently on Friday 12th April 2024 to facilitate the IDA to present its recent position paper and to discuss the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. An implementation plan for the 2024-2026 phase of rollout of the Policy is being drafted by my Department and the HSE for consultation and subsequent publication in the third quarter of this year. The HSE is committed to the design and development of packages of expanded preventative care, and will consult with the profession this year on this draft design, as the first phase of reform of the DTSS.