Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
740. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlements persons (details supplied) under EU regulations are entitled to in terms of optical and dental benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7032/19]
View answerQualification for optical and dental benefit is based on satisfying certain PRSI conditions, including having paid the required total number of contributions since first starting work, along with having the required number of contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year on which the claim is based.
The persons concerned made applications for optical benefit in January 2019. These applications were refused as they did not have the required total number of contributions paid.
A social insurance record in the EU may help the persons concerned to qualify for benefit, provided they have at least one PRSI contribution paid, at Class A, E, H, P or S, since returning to Ireland. Unfortunately, they do not have any contributions recorded as paid since returning to Ireland and therefore do not qualify for benefit.
If the persons concerned have a Medical Card, they should contact their local HSE office which will advise on entitlements under the HSE scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
