Vol. 457 No. 3
97 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to amend section 11 of Statutory Instrument 156 of 1954, in view of the fact that in its present form it puts severe limitations on benefit for a claimant who is a member of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/95]
The regulations referred to by the Deputy make provisions for the terms and conditions under which qualified PRSI contributions and their dependent spouses are entitled to receive dental, optical and aural benefits under the Treatment Benefits Scheme administered by my Department. In the case of serving members of the Defence Forces, entitlement to those benefits is limited to the provision or repair of dentures and optical applicances. It does not include eye examinations, routine dental treatment or assistance towards the cost of hearing aids.
The limitation of benefit in the case of serving members of the Defence Forces reflects the fact that the Department of Defence operates a health scheme for those members which includes primary dental and optical care. This can, where necessary, involve treatment by dentists or optometrists in private practice. However, the provision or repair of dentures and optical applicances is not covered under that scheme and, consequently, serving members of the Defence Forces may qualify for assistance in that respect under my Department's treatment benefit scheme subject to satisfying the relevant conditions.
The limitation referred to above applies only for the duration of the member's period of service and entitlement to the full range of dental and optical benefits is restored on discharge from the Defence Forces. In addition, the limitation does not apply at any time to the dependent spouses of serving members of the Defence Forces.
Accordingly, in the circumstances outlined, I have no plans to amend the regulations in question at the present time.
