Bernard J. Durkan
Question:331 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will reduce the qualifying contributions for ophthalmic benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6896/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:332 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will reduce the qualifying contributions for dental benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6897/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together.
Under the treatment benefits scheme adminis tered by my Department, persons insured under the social welfare Acts and their dependent spouses can avail of benefit in respect of a certain range of dental, optical and aural services subject to satisfying certain PRSI contribution conditions. These PRSI contribution conditions vary depending on the age of the insured person. Persons must also have been insurably employed and paid appropriate rates of PRSI for a certain length of time. The PRSI contributions which are reckonable for treatment benefit are Classes A, E, H and P.
The PRSI eligibility requirements for a person under 21 years of age is that he or she must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since she or he first commenced work. For a person in the age group 21 to 24 years of age he or she also needs to have 39 weeks PRSI paid since first commencing work but is also required to have 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year.
In the age group 25 to 65 years of age the PRSI eligibility requirement is that a person must have 260 weeks PRSI paid since first commencing work with 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year.
A person over 66 years of age is required to have 260 weeks PRSI paid since first commencing work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in either of the last two tax years before reaching 66 years of age. The relevant tax year for persons making claims in the year 2002 is 2000-01.
A reduction in the qualifying conditions for treatment benefit would have cost and budgetary implications. I currently have no plans to change these.
Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 316.