AQW 11531/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/05/2024
Answered On Date: 22/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, further to the announcement on 27 March 2024 of £9.2 million investment in general dental services, to detail (i) when the business cases will be completed for this investment; and (ii) the rationale for this timescale.

Answer:

Following my announcement on 27 March 2024 regarding a £9.2 million investment in General Dental Services, the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) has been working to develop three Business Cases in line with the process set out by Department of Finance.

This is a rigorous process which requires time to facilitate input from a range of staff including Dental Commissioning, Dental Public Health and Finance colleagues with regard to setting the scope of the services, identifying objectives and mitigating potential risks, as well as financial analysis and costings calculations. This process of due diligence is essential to ensure value for money for public funds, particularly given the value and scale of the investment.

I am pleased to advise that the Business Case enabling a 30% enhancement to fees relating to fillings, extractions and root canal treatments has been approved and the enhanced rates will take effect from 1 April 2024. The other two Business Cases are in the final stages of development, and are likely to be approved in the coming days.