Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing children suffering hair loss to avail of the grants for wigs based on their parents PRSI contributions. [7786/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

As part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the medical appliances strand of the treatment benefit scheme. A new grant was provided from May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease. The grant is subject to medical eligibility requirements in addition to the general eligibility requirements for treatment benefit.

The treatments covered under this grant include non-surgical hair replacement relating to hair loss on the scalp area e.g. wigs or hair pieces.

My Department keeps its schemes under regular review to make sure they meet their objectives. I have asked my officials to examine the feasibility of the Deputy's proposal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.