Vol. 464 No. 8
72 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to amend section II of Statutory Instrument Number 156 of 1954 in view of the fact that, in its current form, it puts severe limitations on benefits for a claimant who is a member of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8954/96]
The regulations referred to by the Deputy make provision for the terms and conditions under which qualified PRSI contributors and their dependent spouses are entitled to receive dental, optical and aural benefits under the treatment benefits scheme administered by my Department. In the case of serving members of the Defence Forces, entitlement to those benefits is limited to the provision or repair of dentures and optical appliances. This reflects the fact that the Department of Defence operates a health scheme for those members covering primary dental and optical treatment but excluding the provision of dentures, spectacles, contact lenses or hearing aids.
