Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
678. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the treatment purchase scheme introduced in May 2022 where a benefit grant of €500 is available for certain health expenses, but there are circumstances in which a person (details supplied) does not qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35721/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The hair replacement benefit which was introduced in May 2022 is an annual benefit of up to €500 available to persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme.
The payment assists people who have suffered hair loss due to a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product.
In order to qualify for treatment benefit (when aged over 66 years), a PRSI contributor must satisfy the conditions of having a total of 260 paid contributions at class A, E, H, P or S since starting work and 39 contributions paid or credited in any of the relevant tax years.
The person concerned does not meet these criteria. Although she has the 260 required paid contributions, she does not have the 39 paid at the relevant rate or credited contributions in any of the years 2013 to 2020, which are the relevant tax years on which the claim is based. As a result, she does not satisfy the conditions for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
