Vol. 462 No. 5
206 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that an applicant for dental benefit (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who is signing for credits under the pre-retirement credits scheme will continue to be entitled to dental and optical benefit on the same basis as a person in receipt of the pre-retirement allowance from his Department. [4886/96]
One of the statutory contribution conditions for entitlement to treatment (dental and optical) benefits from my Department requires an applicant aged between 21 and 66 years to have at least 39 reckonable PRSI contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. Of that 39 contributions, at least 13 must be paid contributions. Alternatively, this condition may be satisfied where the applicant has at least 13 contributions paid in either of the two contribution years preceding the governing contribution year, or a subsequent contribution year, including the year in which PRSI contributions cease to be paid, for example, due to early retirement.
In practice, therefore, a person who leaves the workforce can retain entitlement to treatment benefit for up to five years after employment ceases. Where entitlement runs out after that period, it can be restored on receipt of retirement pension at age 65 years. Furthermore, once qualified at 66 years of age, a person remains qualified for the rest of his or her life.
208 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the statistics in relation to the percentage of employers or employees giving or receiving benefits from an occupational in-company sick scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter specifically in relation to the loss sustained by employees frequently out sick who have no social welfare cover for the first three days on sick leave. [5000/96]
In so far as the Department can ascertain, up-to-date statistics of the sort requested by the Deputy are not available.
209 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current position regarding the extension of the free scheme to those in receipt of pensions other than social welfare pensions; if the £30 over contributory old age pension rate will be based on gross or nett pension figure; if the standard £49.50 adult dependant rate will apply or if the over 66 or over 80 rate will be taken if payable; and if the living alone rate will be allowed. [5001/96]
210 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in relation to the changes in the budget allowing the free scheme to those on State and semi-State pensions provided they were within £30 of the social welfare equivalent, this will also apply to the free fuel allowance; and if this will be granted to applicants if they are within £15 disregard figure of social welfare equivalent. [5002/96]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together
In last January's budget, I announced a number of improvements in the free schemes of telephone rental allowance, electricity allowance and colour television licence. From next July these schemes will be extended to low income pensioners who do not qualify at present because they do not get a social welfare pension.
The weekly income limit that is being fixed for this purpose will be the new maximum personal rate of old age contributory pension, £75 per week, plus any increases for dependants, plus £30. In determining the income limit for individual pensioners, account will also be taken of any increases, including the over-80 allowance and the living alone allowance, which would have been payable had the pensioner concerned been in receipt of old age (contributory) pension. In this regard, the adult dependant allowance will be determined by reference to age i.e. under or over age 66.
Pensioners whose net weekly means are under the income limit and who only have access to free travel at present, will now, for the first time, have access to the other free schemes referred to above.
The free fuel allowance, which is paid to eligible applicants from mid-October to mid-April each year, is not included in these measures. This allowance is designed specifically to assist qualified householders who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. It is payable only to those dependent on a long-term social welfare or health board payment or similar payment who must satisfy certain ‘living alone' conditions and also satisfy a means test.
