I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of the crisis in the public provision of dental healthcare. Many people from all over Kerry have contacted my office. They cannot even get an appointment to be seen, never mind receive dental treatment. The treatment service scheme is not fit for purpose. It has not been amended or improved for ten years. It is uneconomic for dentists to participate in the scheme and dentists actually lose money if they take on new medical card patients.

People have contacted me to say dentists receive only €33 for a basic examination, which includes X-rays. For dentures, by the time dentists pay dental technicians, they receive only €20 per hour. It is not feasible to run a practice on that. Dentists feel ignored by the Department - they did not receive personal protective equipment, PPE, or grants and do not get a pension. There is an excellent new facility in Tralee but it needs more staff and more dentists.

The public dental facility must also be restored to Listowel and north Kerry. It is a basic healthcare need. People's rights are being denied. No wonder members of our diaspora are reluctant to return when they see this is the service they will get.

Again, we are aware of the situation regarding public health dentistry overall. The Minister for Health and the HSE's national service plan have provided significant resources in that regard. I will raise the issues with the Minister that have been articulated by the Deputy this morning.