I want to ask about dental services for people suffering with autism. The Minister of State who is responsible for this area is in the Chamber. Young people who live with autism have limited access to dental services and are subject to many sensory issues. This means the dentists who look after them need to be specifically and highly trained. In Dublin South-Central, there is one such dentist for the entire constituency, which results in parents having to access very painful treatments for their children privately, which costs a fortune. Is the Minister of State aware of the lack of specifically trained dentists for young people living with autism and will she address the issue?

There is a broader issue in respect of the ongoing negotiations between the Department of Health and the Irish Dental Association regarding the provision of dentists. A total of €10 million has been made available through the Estimates for allocation to dental services. Obviously, that would include, in particular, the provision of dental services for people with autism, which requires a specific response. There have been difficulties in terms of the discussion so far. The HSE and the Department are anxious to provide that allocation and have an interim resolution of this ongoing dispute, which is not to the advantage of people who want to access the service.