Question from Deputy Mattie McGrath - PQ 61263-25

To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists operating the dental medical card scheme in County Tipperary and nationwide; the level of funding for the dental medical card scheme over the past five years; the options available to dentists where a shortfall exists between the actual cost of providing treatments under the scheme and the reimbursement fee paid by the HSE to the dentist; the reason there has been no increase in the funding under this scheme despite the levels of dental inflation costs; the plans to increase the funding under this scheme to ensure those dentists operating under the scheme are viable; and if she will make a statement on the matter.