asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he intends to extend the scheme for dental, aural and optical treatment benefits to cover the dependants of insured persons.
Written Answers. - Dental, Aural and Optical Treatment.
373.
The scheme covering dental, aural and optical benefits is properly a health service, but has been continued under the Social Welfare Acts pending its integration into a national structure covering all health services by the Department of Health. The transfer of the scheme to the Department of Health has been approved in principle and, until the necessary arrangements for transfer are completed, it would not be opportune to consider the question of possible extensions of the scheme.