Vol. 532 No. 2
175 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will create a single form for those applying for optical, dental or hearing aid benefit either under the PRSI scheme of medical card so the claims can be processed more efficiently in view of the administrative delays endured by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/01]
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned satisfies the relevant statutory contribution conditions for entitlement under the Department's optical benefit scheme. Her last claim for optical benefit was received and paid in 1999.
As soon as an application is received by the Department, her claim will be processed without delay and she will be notified of the outcome.
As the Deputy is aware, there are two separate and distinct schemes with different qualifying criteria, one based on PRSI contributions and administered by my Department and the other administered by the health boards and covering medical card holders. The arrangements for people with dual entitlement to dental benefit under both the PRSI and medical card schemes were simplified recently with the result that claims in such cases will be accepted and paid by the health boards. The question of treating optical claims in a similar fashion for people with dual entitlement is under active consideration.
