In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
In recent years, the overall number of claims and expenditure on optical services under the treatment benefit scheme has increased year on year. In 2023, there were some 1.1 million optical treatments carried out under the scheme at a cost of €45 million.
The scheme entitles an eligible person to a free standard eyesight test once every second calendar year, to include one free pair of reading or distance spectacles, if applicable. The basic frames for the spectacles are free of charge; however, the person can opt to pay a top up to the opticians for more expensive frames.
There are other non-standard optical services provided under the scheme, once every second calendar year. These include, free of charge, exams which require dilation or ophthalmic medical exams. Other spectacles that require non-standard lenses, such as bifocal or varifocal lenses, are also provided free of charge under the scheme.
My Department keeps its schemes and supports under review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. Any changes to the current treatment benefit scheme would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, taking into consideration the sustainability challenges facing the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
