Vol. 518 No. 6
439 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to introduce a pro rata price reduction system for PRSI contributors receiving dental treatment in view of the fact that those who return from abroad to commence work in their twenties are penalised because of their age and are expected to pay PRSI for years before they can avail of reduced dental rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/00]
An underlying principle of the social insurance system is that, to establish entitlement to benefit, a person must have been insurably employed and paid appropriate PRSI contributions for a certain length of time. The PRSI contribution conditions relating to entitlement to treatment benefit – which includes den tal benefit – vary depending on the age of the insured person.
Persons aged under 21 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work in order to qualify while persons aged from 21 to 24 must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions.
In the case of persons aged from 25 to 65, the requirement is that they have at least 260 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year of which a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions.
The PRSI contribution conditions for treatment benefit are generally in line with those applying to other contributory benefit schemes. These conditions are necessary to ensure the continuing viability of the scheme while directing limited resources towards those in greatest need, including dependent spouses of insured workers. They also ensure a realistic relationship between entitlement to benefit and a continuing or recent attachment to the workforce through an active PRSI contribution record.
If a person fails to qualify for treatment benefit based on his/her Irish PRSI record, there is provision under the EU regulations for taking into account periods of insurance or employment in all member states to which the regulations applies in order to determine an individual's entitlement to benefit. In order for such periods to be aggregated it is necessary that the person was last insured or employed in the State in which benefit is claimed. In Ireland's case this requires the payment of at least one employment – PRSI – contribution.
As regards dental benefit, an examination and scale and polish is available free of charge to the qualified claimant. In the case of fillings and extractions, my Department pays 70% of the agreed fee in accordance with the scale of fees negotiated on behalf of the dentists operating the scheme and the claimant pays the balance. An agreed fee also applies in the case of dentures with the claimant and the Department each paying 50%. For other treatments the Department pays a fixed contribution towards the cost and the claimant is liable for the balance charged by the dentist.
While I have no plans at present to change the contribution conditions or to introduce a revised scale of fees as suggested by the Deputy, the qualifying conditions of all schemes are kept under constant review.
