Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
340. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has enough PRSI contributions to avail of the PRSI treatment benefit specifically free hearing aids; if there are any other benefits currently available that the person may not be availing of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60218/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The person concerned has the required number of PRSI contributions paid to qualify for the treatment benefits scheme and is qualified for life.
The medical appliance scheme provides for a 500 euro grant towards the purchase of up to two hearing aids every 4 years. As the person concerned availed of the hearing aid grant in 2020, he will not qualify again until January 2024.
Under the dental benefit scheme, a qualified person can get a free examination and a subsidised dental cleaning once per year.
Under the optical scheme, they can get a free examination, together with free or subsidised spectacles/contact lenses every two years; repairs to spectacles are also covered.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
