Vol. 477 No. 1
189 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which the removal of income ceilings for eligibility to dental treatment was included in the 1997 budget; the number of people expected to be treated under the scheme in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8624/97]
The removal of the earnings limit for treatment — dental and optical — benefits provided for in this years's budget is in line with the commitment in the Government's programme of renewal to maintain and develop the social insurance system.
The introduction of earnings limits in 1992 in the case of treatment benefits represented an unjust attack on the rights of PRSI contributors and served to damage the integrity of the social insurance system. I was pleased, therefore, to get agreement from Government to restore access to treatment benefits to those who satisfy the relevant contribution conditions. Discussions are under way between my Department and the appropriate professional associations and it is expected that these will be concluded in the near future.
A total of 522,304 claims were paid in 1996 under the treatment benefits scheme, including almost 364,000 claims in respect of dental benefit. It is estimated that this year some 545,000 claims will be paid, including some 375,000 dental benefit claims.
