§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce free dental care for pensioners in Northern Ireland. [180292]
§ Angela SmithThe Department currently meets 78 per cent. of the total cost of health service dentistry in Northern Ireland. As in the rest of the UK, all dental treatment for pensioners on pension credit guarantee credit is free and other pensioners, depending on circumstances, can get help with the costs involved through the Low-Income Scheme. There are no plans to change current policies in this area.