The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The Department has undertaken a review of the social insurance record of the person concerned and can confirm that he is entitled to dental benefit under the Department's Treatment Benefit scheme, which is based on PRSI contributions. An approval notification will issue to him in the coming days.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.