Bernard J. Durkan
Question:32 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will improve access to dental and ophthalmic benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31631/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:304 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will ease the qualification requirements in respect of ophthalmic benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31927/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:305 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will ease qualification requirements in respect of dental benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 304 and 305 together.
The treatment benefit scheme provides a range of benefits in the areas of dental, optical and aural treatment for qualified PRSI contributors and their dependent spouses. The PRSI contributions which are reckonable for treatment benefit are classes A, E, H and P. The PRSI contribution conditions relating to entitlement to these benefits vary depending on the age of the insured person.
Persons aged under 21 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work in order to qualify while persons aged from 21 to 24 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year. In the case of persons aged from 25 to 65, the requirement is that they have at least 260 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year. Persons aged 66 or over are required to have at least 260 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in either of the last two tax years before reaching age 66.
A qualified adult dependant is entitled to treatment benefit based on the insured person's PRSI record provided she or he has gross earnings of £60 or less per week and is not in receipt of any benefit or allowance from this Department or a health board except carer's allowance, disablement pension, supplementary welfare allowance or child benefit.
I have no specific proposals, at present, for changing the qualifying conditions of the areas within the treatment benefit scheme.
The operation of the scheme is subject to ongoing monitoring by my Department and the question of further improvements would be a matter for consideration within the constraints of budgetary policy and the best targeting of available resources.