Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
98. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that benefited from the optical benefits component of the treatment benefits scheme operated by her Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5307/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The number of claims for optical benefit in the period requested are detailed below:
|
Year |
Number of claims |
|
2021 |
523,832 |
|
2020 |
406,648 |
|
2019 |
452,311 |
|
2018 |
451,249 |
|
2017 |
229,240 |
