Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1183: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason such a long contribution record is required before insured workers become eligible for treatment benefit. [2565/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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To qualify for PRSI treatment benefits persons under 25 years of age must have at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since starting work and 39 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year — the tax year before they claim. The requirement for persons aged 25 years and over is a minimum of 260 weeks paid contributions. In recognition of the difficulties that persons younger than 25 would have in meeting the standard conditions, the contribution condition for those under 25 was reduced in July 1992 to 39 paid contributions. Previously this reduced contribution requirement had applied only to those under 23 years of age. Any further relaxation in the conditions for receipt of treatment benefits would have financial implications and would be a matter for consideration within the constraints of budgetary policy and the best targeting of available resources.