Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2088. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be funding opportunities for dental schools in Cork and Dublin to undertake primary research into the area of oral heath for schoolchildren; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60162/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will note that the primary operational goal of the dental schools in both Cork and Dublin is to ensure that oral healthcare professionals are trained and educated so that oral healthcare services can be provided both publicly and privately throughout Ireland.

The Cork Dental School and Hospital is part of University College Cork (UCC) and conducts research as part of its functions. One of the research centres in UCC is the Oral Health Services Research Centre. This is a team of researchers from various disciplines who are interested in promoting oral health. One of the main strands of their work includes designing national epidemiological studies and has directed national surveys on the oral health of both children and adults. These surveys provide us with important information on the oral health status of the Irish population.

Similarly, Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) conducts research as part of its functions. DDUH is involved with generating evidence for clinical practice and improving knowledge related to oral science. DDUH is part of Trinity College Dublin, which conducts national research through the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). As part of the TILDA study that was conducted, it assessed the dental health of participants involved in the study. These findings have provided vital insights into oral health.

It should be noted that both dental schools in Cork and Dublin can obtain research funding from a variety of sources such as Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Health Research Board, and from industry. This could provide an opportunity and pathway for dental schools in Cork and Dublin to undertake research into the area of oral health for schoolchildren.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2089. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to putting an accredited Autologous stem cell transplant centre in place in Cork University Hospital; as persons with cancers such as multiple myeoloma in Cork are required to travel to Galway for this treatment at a very difficult time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60187/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.