The programme for Government speaks of extending the oral health promotion programme to reach all children in primary schools. Unfortunately, this aspiration is moving further and further away from us. Many children are not being seen until some time in secondary school and when they are seen they are put on a waiting list, often for two or three years. The situation is deteriorating. I ask the Taoiseach to speak to the Minister for Health and to ensure that the additional resources required to ensure early detection of orofacial problems are prioritised so that parents can make interventions, be they private or public, to prevent their child's condition from deteriorating. I have spoken with people involved in the current national screening programme who have told me that early detection and early intervention is not happening.

I accept that there are issues in respect of dental health but provision was made in the budget for additional resources to expand the oral health programme and to add to the numbers of people involved in the provision of the public programme. I can get some figures for the Deputy in respect of that but I take the point he makes. Additional provision has been made in the budget and I will engage with the Minister for Health on the matter.