Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
914. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of optometrists registered with the social welfare optical benefit scheme in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33959/24]
View answerTreatment Benefit is a PRSI-based scheme which provides free dental and optical services, and assistance towards the provision of audiological appliances and hair replacement products, to people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions, and to their dependent spouses/partners.
Opticians, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists who have a contract (panellist) with the Department provide products and services as set out in the Optical and Dispensing Agreements.
The Department maintains a list of panellists which is updated as panellists join and leave the scheme. There are currently 392 panellists registered with the Department’s Optical Benefit Scheme, which includes an additional 17 panellists registered in 2024 to date.
The number of panellists will regularly change and the Department does not hold historic records of the number of panellists at specific dates.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
