Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
292. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual spend on the treatment benefit scheme in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35598/21]
View answerThe table below shows expenditure for the Treatment Benefit Schemes in each of the years 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 as requested by the Deputy:
|
- |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
2015 |
2020 |
|
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Dental Benefit |
45,402 |
49,612 |
34,215 |
16,619 |
44,309 |
|
Optical Benefit |
10,885 |
11,688 |
9,989 |
6,808 |
35,256 |
|
Medical & Surgical Devices Benefit |
1,512 |
4,197 |
7,269 |
6,466 |
11,755 |
|
Total Treatment Benefits |
57,799 |
65,497 |
51,473 |
29,893 |
91,320 |
The figures for 2020 are provisional and are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Treatment Benefit schemes catered for examinations and treatments in the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2020. In 2015, only examinations were covered by the scheme. In addition, by 2020, the scheme catered for a broader range of individuals as the scheme was extended to self-employed workers in Budget 2017.
