Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1245. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the scheme whereby cancer patients can only avail of one wig per year. [28156/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Treatment Benefit Scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection, for those with the qualifying PRSI contributions, provides funding up to a maximum of €500 towards the cost of hair replacement products where hair loss results from a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or alopecia.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided by the HSE through community services known as Community Funded Schemes. This may include the provision of wigs and hairpieces, but the level of access varies across Community Health Organisations.

The HSE have established a Service Improvement Programme in respect of the Community Funded Schemes, and the work in connection with that Programme is progressing.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.