Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2015

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Ceisteanna (52)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

52. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who made 723 ORD class social insurance contributions, and 1,078 class A1 social insurance contributions, between 1964 and 2002, may not avail of a treatment benefit payment, owing to a change in that person's class of contributions, for three years after 2002; the reason the contributions made over the previous 38 years count for nothing, when determining that person's entitlement, in this case; if she will instruct the treatment benefit section of her Department to review this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8646/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Qualification for treatment benefit is based on satisfying certain PRSI conditions covering a required total number of contributions to be paid or credited and a required number to be paid or credited in the relevant tax year.

In 2013, the person concerned made an application for treatment benefit; this was refused as he did not fulfil the contribution requirements at that time. However, as the person concerned is now in receipt of a state pension, the credits resulting from his entitlement to this pension can now be counted for qualification purposes in 2015. As a result he now meets the qualifying conditions and he should now submit a new application for treatment benefit.