asked the Minister for Health the total number of medical card holders awaiting dental treatment and the average waiting period before treatment is actually received.

The number of persons —other than children—covered by medical cards who were awaiting dental treatment on 31 December 1978 was 35,675. The national average waiting period was 13.9 months. Persons in need of urgent dental treatment are normally provided with services on the basis of absolute priority.

Health boards do not maintain separate records identifying those children receiving dental treatment whose parents are medical card holders.

Has the Minister any details of progress made by his Department towards improving the dental services since our debate on this topic almost a year ago?

We have included an additional number of dentists and we are advertising at present for more. As the Deputy knows the principal difficulty is shortage of skilled personnel.

Has the Minister decided on ways of increasing the number of personnel?

The Deputy has another question down about that.

Could the Minister give any indication as to when the new Dental Bill will be introduced?

We cannot anticipate questions. The Deputy has a question tomorrow——

I shall wait until then.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.