To ask the Minister of Health whether he will consider reinstating the Financial Support Scheme and Rebuilding Support Scheme to support general dental services.

The Financial Support Scheme and its replacement the Rebuilding Support Scheme were put in place to sustain General Dental Services practices throughout the pandemic when capacity was severely impacted by covid related restrictions. Through these schemes, the Department provided significant and unprecedented financial support, with approximately £88.1m invested to initially maintain the financial viability of practices and subsequentially help increase levels of Health Service activity. The Rebuilding Support Scheme came to an end in July 2023 due to the absence of covid-related restrictions and the severe financial pressures arising from the Department’s 2023/24 budget settlement.

Whilst there are no plans to re-establish the schemes, officials have been developing investment proposals to further support General Dental Services and I will consider them in early course.