asked the Minister for Health the improvements, if any, he has planned for the dental services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

8.

asked the Minister for Health the plans he has for the expansion of the existing defective dental care services.

9.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of widespread delay before eligible persons can receive dental treatment; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 8 and 9 together.

I am, of course, aware that many eligible persons do not receive dental treatment as readily as we would all wish. I have already indicated on a number of occasions that I intend to prepare a comprehensive development programme for the dental services. The necessary consultations have been taking place with the dental profession and other interested agencies. The chief dental officer who took up duty in my Department on 1 October 1978 is now involved in this work.

I shall inform the House as soon as I am in a position to announce plans to improve this service.

Has the Minister made any approaches to the EEC to obtain the necessary finances for this expansion in view of the fact that we have only 50 per cent of the dental technicians—

No, there would be no question of going to the EEC for such finances. The problem is not really finance. It is personnel.

Could the Minister give any broad indication of the cost of any projected expansion? Has he any idea what is likely to be involved: £5 million, £10 million, £20 million or £30 million?

Nothing like that.

Does the Minister mean it would be less than £5 million?

Perhaps £1 million or £2 million. Personnel is the real problem.

Is the Minister in a position to do anything about this exceedingly alarming situation particularly in my county, and I am sure the position is the same in most other counties, where at best the dental service is a joke and at worst a tragedy? It might as well not exist at all to all intents and purposes. It merely holds out a promise.

What is the question?

Is there anything the Minister can do about it?

I have elaborated on what I propose.

Has the Minister elaborated on something which is not there?

I have elaborated on the steps I propose to take.

The problem is due to lack of money surely?

No, it is due primarily to lack of personnel.

I have the figures for Donegal and if it is not due primarily to lack of money I am a Dutchman.

What steps does the Minister intend to take to increase the personnel available immediately?

I have no ready solution to the shortage of personnel. I may mention that the shortage of trained dental people is not just a national problem. It also exists at European and international level.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Surely the question of salaries enters into it?

Not really. Trained people are not there.

(Cavan-Monaghan): They are not going into the public service.

Not even private service.

Does it not appear strange and peculiar that the Minister can say there is a general shortage of personnel internationally and yet the faculties in our universities which produce these people are curtailing entry to the detriment of those who have the basic education to go on and want to go on?

This is not the only area in the modern world where there are shortages of personnel and nevertheless entry into the particular trade or profession is restricted.

Surely the Minister should make an effort—

I am.

— a very substantial effort to relieve this crazy bottleneck.

I can promise the Deputy and the House that a very detailed and extensive review of the situation is going on and, as soon as I am in a position to announce some plans to improve the situation, they will be announced in the House. The most important single thing we have been able to achieve is to get a chief dental officer into the Department of Health, a post which has been vacant for the past four or five years.

The children will have no teeth left by the time the Minister gets the result of that review.

10.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the inordinate delay in providing dental treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he will urge the Western Health Board to remedy this highly undesirable situation; and if the board will now indicate a date on which this person will be called for treatment.

I am, of course, aware than many eligible persons, including the person referred to by the Deputy, do not receive dental treatment as readily as I would wish.

The Western Health Board is not in a position to indicate a specific date on which the particular patient will receive treatment. However, I understand that her name in on a priority list.

Is the Minister aware that, in the area of the Western Health Board, some dentists who have been providing a service have resigned because of the poor level of payment they were receiving?

That is a separate question.

In this case a dentist has resigned but I do not know why.

Would it not be an idea to find out?

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it not obvious they resigned because the salaries are not adequate?

I do not think so. People resign for different reasons.