Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 February 2022
154. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the grant under the treatment benefit scheme towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for persons who suffer from hair loss due to disease can be used towards the cost of treatment for eyebrow or eyelash hair loss as a result of disease; and if not, if she will consider including this measure in the scheme. [8528/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. It is also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable. Those who are eligible can avail of dental, optical and hearing services under the scheme. €109 million was spent on the scheme in 2021.
As part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the Treatment Benefit scheme. A new grant will be provided from 28 May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease. It will not be available for hair loss due to ageing or other natural causes.
The grant of up to €500 will be available once every calendar year to support people towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement, for example wigs and toupées.
Hair loss is a common issue among people that can be caused by a variety of medical conditions including autoimmune diseases such as alopecia or systemic conditions like cancer. I recognise not only the physical impact, but also the psychological impact, that hair loss can have on a person’s life. This new grant should help improve the quality of life of those who need it.
Approximately 2.25 million people qualify for Treatment Benefit, but it is difficult to estimate the level of take-up of this new benefit. For example, 25,000 people get diagnosed with invasive cancer annually and up to 2,000 of them may apply for the grant. The estimated cost of the new grant is €1 million per year.
Officials in my Department are currently addressing requirements for providers and claimants. The details will be available in advance of the introduction of the grant.
The terms of the new grant are aligned with the equivalent HSE scheme for medical card holders, which does not cover the loss of eyebrows and eye lashes. As this is a new grant under the Treatment Benefit scheme, I do not propose to extend it beyond the HSE terms at this point; however, I will keep the matter under consideration in light of experience, and I thank the Deputy for bringing this to my attention.
