asked the Minister for Social Welfare the numbers and categories of employees domiciled in Ireland who ceased to be insurable under the Social Welfare Acts because of the implementation of EEC Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72; and if these employees can now obtain optical and dental treatment benefit as heretofore.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Optical and Dental Treatment.
33.
The only category of employees which can be identified as coming within the scope of the Deputy's question are mariners normally resident in this country but employed on United Kingdom registered ships engaged in regular trade between this country and the United Kingdom. While the exact numbers are not known, they would, however, be comparatively few.
As such persons are no longer insured under the Social Welfare Acts, they cannot satisfy the contribution conditions for optical and dental benefits under those Acts.
Will any step be taken to rectify that? This is placing persons in a less advantageous position as compared with what they enjoyed prior to the EEC regulations coming into force.
I am not aware that any such action is planned. I will convey the Deputy's question to the Minister.