Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

311 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons whose contributions fall short of qualification for contributory pensions at present; his plans, if any, to extend the pension to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Statistics are not available as to the number of people who at present fail to qualify for a contributory pension due to insufficient contributions.

As I have previously indicated, over the years there has been progressive flexibility in the qualifying conditions for these pension schemes, notably the pro-rata pensions which I introduced in 1997 which reduced the yearly average for the old age contributory pension to ten and, more recently, the new arrangements which give further recognition to contributions paid prior to 1953. This is in line with this Government's commitment to extend contributory pensions coverage to as many categories of people as possible.

In this regard, my Department has been reviewing the qualifying conditions for the old age contributory and retirement pensions. The first phase of this review process is nearly finalised and I expect to receive the report shortly. When the report has been considered by the Government I will, as indicated on a number of occasions, report to the House.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

312 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of the blind pension at the present time; if the number has increased or decreased in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15300/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The number of recipients of the blind pension an the end of April 2000 was 2,273. The corresponding figure for April 1999 was 2,314, a decrease of 41. The following table gives details of recipients of the blind pension for the past ten years.

Year (End December)	Recipients
1990	2,400
1991	2,416
1992	2,542
1993	2,619
1994	2,616
1995	2,476
1996	2,450
1997	2,404
1998	2,358
1999	2,304

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

313 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he proposes to introduce any changes in such schemes as dental and optical benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15301/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

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.

As regards dental benefit, an examination and scale and polish is available free of charge to the qualified claimant. In the case of fillings and extractions, my Department pays 70% of the agreed fee in accordance with the scale of fees negotiated on behalf of the dentists operating the scheme and the claimant pays the balance. An agreed fee also applies in the case of dentures with the claimant and the Department each paying 50%. For other treatments my Department pays a fixed contribution towards the cost and the claimant is liable for the balance charged by the dentist.

As regards optical benefit, the qualified person can get free of charge an eye examination together with a pair of spectacles from a limited range of frames. Where a more expensive frame is chosen, my Department pays a fixed contribution with the claimant paying the balance. A similar arrangement applies in the case of contact lenses.

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 of which a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions.

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 of which a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions.

Finally, 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 of which a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions.

The latter requirement, 13 weeks paid contributions, does not apply in the case of certain social welfare recipients.

In 1999, some 430,000 claims for dental benefit and some 183,000 claims for optical benefit were approved by my Department at a cost of some £26.6 million and £7.9 million respectively.

While I have no plans to change the qualifying conditions of these schemes or to introduce other changes, the overall effectiveness of the schemes is kept under constant review.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

314 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when persons (details supplied) in County Dublin will qualify for the free schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

There is no trace of an application from either of the persons concerned for any of the free schemes. In order for their entitlement to be examined it is necessary for one of them to submit the relevant application forms.

The Department is arranging for forms to be issued to the persons concerned. On return of the completed applications a decision will be made by the Department on their entitlements and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.