To ask the Minister of Health (i) to detail any criticism he has received regarding his new financial support scheme for general dental practice; and (ii) whether this new scheme is a step towards a fully privatised dental service in Northern Ireland.

The British Dental Association and a number of dentists have raised concerns with the Department about the level of investment in the Rebuilding Support Scheme, arguing that more investment is needed at this time. In addition to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on service delivery, they have expressed concerns around the rising costs of running their practices.

This additional investment is not a step towards the privatisation of General Dental Services, nor does my Department have that goal. It is reverting our investment approach back to one based on activity, and away from guaranteed earnings, but with enhanced payments to reflect the pressures caused by the pandemic.