asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any charge is made to an insured person who is supplied with spectacles, if the insured person supplies the frames.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spectacle Charges to Insured Persons.
78.
Under the optical benefit scheme administered by my Department a claimant may select spectacles in one of three categories;
spectacles of a specified type which are supplied free of charge;
those with a better type of frame which are supplied at a fixed price;
or
those with a more expensive type of frame the price of which is not controlled.
When a claimant requires lenses to be fitted to a frame supplied by himself no charge is made if the spectacles were originally obtained free of charge. However, if the spectacles were obtained at a fixed charge the Department makes a contribution towards the cost of the lenses and the claimant is required to make a payment, the amount of which depends on the type of lenses prescribed.
Am I to take it, if the spectacles were partly paid for originally, even though the person is supplying the frames, he is required to pay again for the same spectacles he paid for earlier?
No. He is required to pay a portion of the cost.
Would the Minister explain why someone who is simply getting lenses and who is supplying the frames should have to pay anything for them if he is under the social welfare code?
The Department pay a contribution of 23/6d. towards the cost. The person getting the appliance is required to pay the remainder.
The Minister will appreciate that if the spectacles were obtained from the optician through social welfare benefit the first time, then there is no charge? Why should there be a charge if they were not obtained that way?
There is a charge unless he chooses spectacles in the first category.
If he chooses spectacles in the first category there is still a charge, according to the Minister's answer, if it is the first time he gets them.
No, not if he chooses a type in the first category.
The first category refers to frames?
Yes.
Of course, he is supplying the frames.