Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
510. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the contribution history record of a person (details supplied); the reason the person does not qualify for treatment benefit for medical appliances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9122/22]
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 for treatment benefit (when aged over 66 years) a PRSI contributor must satisfy the conditions of having a total of 260 paid contributions at class A/E/H/P or S since starting work and 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax years.
The person concerned does not meet this criteria. Although they have the required 260 paid contributions, they do not have the 39 paid or credited contributions in any of the relevant tax years 1989 to 1996, which are the relevant tax years on which their eligibility is based. There is no record of paid or credited contributions for the person concerned since 1981. As a result, they do not satisfy the conditions for the Department's treatment benefit scheme at this time.
However, if the person concerned is the holder of a medical card they may have an entitlement to treatment under the parallel HSE scheme. If this is the case they should contact their local HSE health office for advice on making a claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
