§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the numbers of dentists working for the NHS in Northern Ireland. [169931]
§ Angela SmithThe Department has put in place a comprehensive work force planning mechanism that reviews, on an annual basis, supply and demand issues across all HPSS professional groups. The first report on the dental staff group has been completed and its findings did not indicate any general recruitment 1409W difficulties with this group. Nevertheless, the position will be kept under review through the Department's work force planning process.