It is widely known there is a significant lack of dental services across many parts of Ireland. There are particular challenges in my constituency of Louth, especially concerning access to orthodontic care. While I acknowledge the HSE's national service plan for 2024 continues to support service development and initiatives to reduce waiting lists for dental and orthodontic care, the shortage of specialists means my constituents are not receiving timely treatment.

In June one of my constituents inquired about the lack of orthodontists in Louth and was told there was nothing in the pipeline with respect to interviews or potential a replacement orthodontist in Louth. Even if there was one appointed today, they would not be in place for six months. On top of this, I have been contacted by numerous concerned constituents who have been refused dental care at their regular practice due to their medical card status. Medical card holders have been cut in half. Will the Minister ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to contact the providers and put in place an effective plan, resources and funding in order that people in Louth, east Meath and Ireland get the service they deserve?

I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick. I am aware there is an issue with the shortage of dentists, especially those providing community dentistry across our country and the Deputy has referenced Louth and east Meath as an example. To address that we have a lot of plans ongoing on increasing the supply of qualified healthcare graduates in dentistry and the respective therapy disciplines, so we have increased the pipeline of workers who can provide that service. That is something that has been ongoing between both the Department of further and higher education and the Department of Health so we can build capacity for the future. There have not been sufficient dental graduate to meet the level of demand, especially in community dental services. That is why the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, is advancing plans to increase the wider capacity through strengthened numbers when it comes to new hire education healthcare places. That will make a difference for the future.