MEP MacManus calls for reform of Dental Treatment Service Scheme after Ballybane visit

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has called for reform of the Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) to ensure that medical card holders can access the dental care that they need. The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after meeting with the Fáilte Community Advocacy Group at the Brothers of Charity Fáilte House in Ballybane alongside his Sinn Féin colleague Mairéad Farrell TD.

MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to meet with the Fáilte Community Advocacy Group in Ballybane alongside my colleague Mairéad Farrell TD.  “

“We had a wide-ranging discussion on a number of issues including housing, cost of living and paid employment. In particular we discussed difficulties medical card holders are having in accessing dental care through the DTSS, which is impacting hugely on individuals the group supports.

“It has become near impossible to access dental care in Galway under the DTSS, which provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Dentists are leaving the scheme in their droves because it is no longer financially viable for them. This has left countless individuals in need of dental treatment and in many cases suffering enormous pain as a result.”

“Sinn Féin has long called for investment in public dentistry and an increase in the number of places for dentistry students, to address capacity issues in the sector. It is vital that the Government engage with the Irish Dental Association to address these issues and ensure reform of the DTSS so that medical card holders can receive the dental care they desperately need. ENDS

See attached photo from Fáilte House of (L-R): Louis O’Hara, Chris MacManus MEP, Kevin Harte, Martin Shiels, Michael Spelman, Jenny Cox, Mairéad Farrell TD