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Rui Vieira/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Dental
Only one in five entitled people availed of free dental exams last year
Despite 3.3 million Irish adults being entitled to free dental check ups, fewer that 600,000 availed of the scheme last year.
10.57am, 10 Jul 2012
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FEWER THAN 600,000 Irish adults availed of free dental check ups last year – despite 3.3 million being entitled to do so.
The Irish Dental Association said that while there have been substantial increases in the number eligible for free examinations, figures show that fewer people are availing of them. The report also reveals that expenditure on both the Medical Card Scheme and the PRSI Dental Scheme have declined rapidly.
Galway-based dentist Dr Peter Gannon cited a lack of clarity amongst patients over their entitlements as the main reason for so few availing of the free examination scheme – and placed the blame for this on the HSE and the Department of Social Protection.
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“If something is for free it is usually totally oversubscribed. Eight out of ten Irish people are entitled to a free oral exam so why are attendance figures so low?” he asked. “Without warning, the HSE reduced the Medical Card Scheme to an emergency only scheme, while at the same time the Department of Social Protection removed all benefits under the PRSI scheme except the annual check-up.”
Also commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of the Irish Dental Association Fintan Hourihan said that said recent suggestions by the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton regarding the increase of PRSI contributions “beggared belief”.
“Given the Minister’s title one would have thought she would be doing everything possible to make sure people on Medical Cards and those paying PRSI would be receiving their full benefit. As it is people paying PRSI are already being short changed,” he said.
“How could a Government Minister countenance increasing it when they have failed to deliver on all their pre-election promises pertaining to dental health?”
Gannon encouraged those eligible to take part in the free examination scheme to do so, saying that regular check-ups help to identify problems earlier, resulting in simpler and less expensive treatment.
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At no point in the article is there a mention of life being tough for the residents of the flat complex so I’m not sure what “snuffbox” is going on about!!!
The few pictures shown here are great. I wish her the best of luck with the exhibition.
Snuffbox what a judgemental ignorant comment to make about the photographer. This woman has a great eye for capturing life and sharing it with a wider audience, best of luck in her exhibition.
Snuffbox, what are you on about? The pictures are from loads of different people that live and lived in the flats over the years not just the photographers family. Best of luck to her for organizing this exhibition, maybe it will inspire others to remember where they came from.
Love those pictures. Love when an artist/photographer ties in history and life, interesting to see that although we are sixty years on the kids are still the same. I am sure not much has changed in the flat complex either.
I am from Pearse house and it was great to see a lot off people coming in and meeting people that they have not seen in years and I met people that worked with my dad telling all the old stories what they got up two thanks well done xxx
Wish I was able to go and visit the flats as my Dad was born and raised in 5b Pearse house
His name was Godfrey ( Golly ) Coffey. my Granny Brigid lived there until she died age 83. I have many happy memories of visiting Grannys and meeting my uncle Vincent and my cousin Brigid who often stayed at my grannys house. Ive lived in Australia a long time now but go back frequently . My sister Barbara is visiting Dublin in August this year so she will make an effort to visit the recreated flat and record some pics for me .
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