Vol. 515 No. 2
201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the degree to which sight testing is available to all age groups through employment contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5745/00]
The treatment benefits scheme administered by my Department provides assistance towards the cost of dental, optical and audiology services to people who satisfy certain statutory PRSI conditions, and to their dependent spouses. The scheme is a contributory social insurance scheme and workers paying contributions at classes A, E, H and P and their dependent spouses are insured for these benefits. The total thus covered for these benefits is 1.2 million, comprising some 900,000 insured persons and an estimated 300,000 dependent spouses.
Insured persons who satisfy the relevant contribution conditions and their dependent spouses are entitled to a free sight test every two years. In addition, where there is a clinical necessity for a more frequent sight test and this is confirmed by the optician, this will be covered free of charge under the scheme.
Some 183,000 people benefited under the optical scheme in 1999, comprising 147,000 insured persons and 36,000 spouses. Eye tests were carried out in 169,000 cases, the balance of the claims involving repairs to appliances.
