I am inundated with inquiries from people with medical cards who cannot access dental services in County Wexford. The scheme is collapsing and is clearly in a state of decline. In 2020, there were 33 dentists participating in the dental treatment service scheme in the county. Now there are only 14. The people of Bunclody and Rosslare have no dentists at all operating under the scheme.

New Ross has only two. In other areas such as Enniscorthy people are left in desperate pain as the dentists on the scheme in their areas are not taking on any new patients. In reply to a question I asked last week the Minister said "The HSE will assist patients who are still having difficulties accessing services and may provide emergency dental services directly to patients where necessary". When I rang the HSE about this I was told this was not the case. Has the Government contacted the Irish Dental Association, IDA, regarding this serious situation and is there a comprehensive plan to deal with it?

I thank the Deputy. We are aware there is an issue in Wexford, and indeed in many parts of the country, where more and more private dentists have withdrawn from the public scheme. Through the budget for this year and next we are significantly increasing the funding. It includes an increase in fees for dentists. We are engaged with the IDA. What it is looking for and what we have agreed to is a discussion about the entire scheme and the entire provision. The additional funding we are putting in is aimed at helping in the short term but it is not a long-term fix. A more comprehensive approach is required and is something we will be kicking off next year with the IDA.