The Health Minister says the current wait times for children seeking a dental appointment are "unacceptable".
Stephen Donnelly says he'll increase funding and the workforce to alleviate the problem.
It follows a warning of a severe decline in children's dental health, as fewer than half of primary school children have been seen through the school dental scheme.
Minister Donnelly admits the system is too slow:
"The current waiting times for children to get the publicly accessible dental services, both assessment and then any follow on treatment, is not acceptable. It is taking too long. I've been engaged with the Department, with the HSE, and with the dentists on the ground. We have invested in some very significant funding. We are increasing the workforce within the HSE - the publicly employed dentists".
