asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the great dissatisfaction felt by persons who obtain optical appliances through his Department because of the poor types of frames supplied and the excessive charges made for other than standard frames; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Optical Appliances.
30.
I am not aware of any such dissatisfaction. Under the optical benefit scheme administered by my Department insured persons may obtain spectacles of a certain specified type free of charge. By making a contribution towards the cost they can obtain spectacles with a better type of frame at a fixed price which is not excessive. They may, however, select spectacles of a more expensive type and in such cases I have no function regarding the prices charged for the frames. I may add that the scheme has recently been revised and an improved type of frame will be available to insured persons, free of charge, from 1st November, 1963.
Is the Minister not aware that several weeks ago I brought this matter to the notice of his Department and received an assurance as a result that the action which the Minister has mentioned was being taken? Surely the Minister could have said that instead of saying he did not know anything about the matter?
I said that the scheme has been revised and an improved type will be available from 1st November.
Because it was brought to the Minister's notice.