asked the Minister for Health the type and extent of dental services which are available free in Ireland; what section of the community these are available to; and the number of dental surgeons at present operating these services.

The dental services available free include extractions and fillings and other remedial care and the supply of dentures. Free dental treatment is available to children for defects noticed at child welfare clinics and school health examinations. Health boards also provide dental care —including the provision of dentures—for medical card holders and their dependants but, as the priority lies in the care of children's teeth, this has not yet been developed into a comprehensive service.

Insured persons who meet the required contribution conditions may have fillings and extractions free of charge under the dental benefit scheme of the Department of Social Welfare. The health boards, to provide their services, employ 184 whole-time dentists and part-time dentists to the equivalent of 28 whole-time posts. Thirty-three extra whole-time posts have recently been approved, together with extra ancillary staff. In the social welfare scheme there are contracts with 530 private dentists.

Is the Minister thinking of doing anything about the anomaly whereby children under 16 years of age in secondary schools do not qualify for dental care?

Like the Deputy, I know that. As I said, I am hoping to bring forward proposals for a more comprehensive and better developed dental service.

How soon can we expect these proposals from the Minister?

As soon as possible. It is a question of priorities. The Deputy will understand that if resources are limited, which they are and it is not just a question of money, it is better to take the younger children and devote your efforts to dealing with them. Until you have that job done, it would not be too wise to extend in other areas.

Does the Minister not agree it is absolutely unacceptable that children in primary schools, students over 16 years of age and apprentices qualify for dental services while those under 16 years of age in secondary school do not qualify? Is that not something which could be remedied pretty quickly if the Minister had the will?

Not pretty quickly I am afraid. I am aware of the problem. Like other Deputies I receive many representations about it. Naturally it is something which will be on my list of priorities. I would not accept the Deputy's suggestion that it can be done by a stroke of the pen overnight.

Why cannot a medical card be given to students under 16 years of age in secondary schools such as students over 16 years of age have? Would that not be simple?

It would be expensive. Lots of things are simple but expensive.

Would the Minister tell us what the expense might be?

For medical cards? What precisely is the Deputy's point?

The Minister told the House it would be expensive to provide medical cards for students under 16 years of age who are not in primary schools. I am now asking the Minister how expensive?

That is a separate question.

Any extension of the general medical services is very expensive.