Paul Kehoe
Question:494 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of the Garda investigation in relation to a case (details supplied). [9864/04]
View answerTuesday, 30 March 2004
Questions (379, 380)
Written answers
This case was the subject of a question from the Deputy which I answered on 4 March 2004. It concerns a supplementary welfare allowance cheque that was reported missing by the person to whom it was issued but which was found to have been cashed. As I stated in my earlier reply, the health board which issued the cheque has a duty to refer such cases to the gardaí so that the circumstances can be fully investigated and the appropriate follow-up action can be undertaken by the board and, if necessary, by the gardaí themselves.
The South Eastern Health Board was again contacted regarding this case and has advised that the Garda investigation concluded that it was not the person concerned who cashed the missing cheque. On receipt of this information the board immediately issued a replacement cheque. This is standard procedure and does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of the person to whom the cheque was issued. The board has further advised that at all times it handled its dealings with the person concerned in a courteous and respectful manner.
John Curran
Question:495 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the situation whereby an employee over 25 years of age must have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid since first starting work before being eligible to qualify for benefits; and if she will consider a system of credits for those who have been in full-time third level education for a number of years before reaching 25 years of age. [9922/04]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to the treatment benefit scheme.
An underlying principle of the social insurance system is that, to establish entitlement to benefit, a person must have been insurably employed and paid appropriate PRSI contributions for a certain length of time.
The treatment benefit scheme operated by my Department provides to insured persons and their dependent spouses a range of services in the area of dental, optical and aural benefit. The availability of these benefits is subject to certain PRSI contribution conditions. The PRSI contribution classes which qualify for treatment benefit are A, E, H and P.
The PRSI contribution eligibility requirements vary depending on the insured person's age. Persons aged under 21 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI contributions paid since first starting work in order to qualify while persons aged from 21 to 24 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI contributions paid since first starting work and 39 weeks paid or credited in the relevant tax year.
In the case of persons aged over 25, 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.
I have no plans, at present, to change the current qualifying conditions for treatment benefits. Any change in the conditions for receipt of benefit would have financial implications and would be a matter for consideration within the constraints of budgetary policy and the best targeting of available resources.