Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
336. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider, with the pensions changes being proposed, that the treatment benefit scheme be extended to all recipients of the contributory State pension regardless of all types of contributions paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60194/22]
View answerTreatment Benefit is a social insurance scheme provided by this Department. Under this scheme, eligible contributors can access dental and optical services, and grants towards certain medical appliances (hearing aids, medical lenses or wigs).
Contributions made under social insurance (PRSI) Classes A, E, P, H or S count towards eligibility for Treatment Benefit. The amount of social insurance contributions required depends on the person's age.
People who qualify for Treatment Benefit at age 60–65 can keep that entitlement for life.
Currently, people over 66 years of age must have -
- 260 PRSI contributions paid at any time, and 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year or the year immediately before it; or
- 260 PRSI contributions paid at any time and 26 paid contributions in both the relevant tax year and the year immediately before it.
The relevant tax year in this case is the second last completed tax year before reaching 66 years of age.
People who satisfy either of these conditions when they reach pension age will remain qualified for life.
Many people on State Pension (Contributory) satisfy these requirements already. However, some retired people who paid contributions under different PRSI classes do not qualify for Treatment Benefit. Most of these paid contributions in Class B, C and D.
Treatment Benefit is financed through the Social Insurance Fund. This Fund has been depleted due to the significant costs associated with Covid-19. The Programme for Government commits to giving consideration to increasing contributions from all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund. I am not considering changing the qualifying criteria for Treatment Benefit at this time.
Any proposal to further extend the Treatment Benefit scheme would have to be considered in a financial and budgetary context, taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances, with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
