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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1987

Vol. 376 No. 11

Written Answers. - Optical Benefit.

22.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the recent changes in optical benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The treatment benefits scheme was extended to the dependent spouses of qualified insured persons from 19 October 1987. Those newly qualified under the extension include dependent spouses of PAYE workers and dependent spouses of insured unemployed, of disability benefit recipients and invalidity, retirement and old age contributory pensioners. The extension is targeted at providing the benefits of the scheme to some 330,000 dependent spouses, primarily wives working in the home.

The extension of optical benefit has been very successful, with all opticians on the panel participating.

Seven thousand dependent spouses have already benefited under the extension of optical benefit and I am very satisfied with its operation and the cooperation which I received from the opticians and their professional association.

Arising from the Government's overall review of public expenditure certain adjustments were made to the optical benefit scheme with effect from 1 October 1987. The fees paid to opticians were increased by approximately 3 per cent from that date. In addition, the qualifying contribution conditions for eligibility were brought into line with changes made earlier this year in the disability and unemployment benefit schemes. The contribution conditions, which vary according to age, require applicants to have a minimum number of contributions paid since entering insurable employment.

From 1 October 1987 the minimum number of contributions paid changed from 26 to 39 for persons under 23 years of age and from 156 to 208 for persons aged over 23 years. Claimants aged over 21 years are also required to have a minimum number of contributions paid and credited in the contribution year which governs the claim. This was changed from 26 to 39 paid or credited contributions.

The revised contribution conditions do not apply to insured persons who had reached pension age (66 years) before 1 October 1987 or to their dependent spouses.

There was also a change in the level of subvention payable by the Department for optical items in certain circumstances. The modifications affect only claimants who opt for the non-scheduled more expensive type of glasses. Eye examinations and glasses with frames of a prescribed type continue to be provided free to the claimant. However, in relation to glasses of the more expensive type in respect of which the Department pay a fixed amount and the claimant pays the balance, the amounts payable by the Department in the case of the main items involved have been reduced.

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