Vol. 426 No. 1
85 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider the changes introduced in the Social Welfare Act, 1992 which excludes recipients of invalidity pensions from free dental and optical benefits, as it is not possible for them to qualify under the new PRSI contribution requirements when they cannot work.
The change sought by the Deputy in relation to invalidity pensioners has already been introduced. With effect from 30 December 1992 regulations were made which exempted persons in receipt of either invalidity pension or long term disability benefit from the new contribution condition requiring at least 13 paid PRSI contributions in a recent contribution year. Consequently, such persons are now entitled to the full range of dental, optical and aural benefits available under the treatment benefits scheme.
