Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reduction on fees paid to dentists and opticians since 2009 under the treatment benefit scheme; the annual saving realised from those measures; the specific itemised fees currently paid to dentists and opticians under this scheme; if she will provide a sum total of the annual amount of fees paid under each item; the amount in total that was spent in 2011; the expected spend in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24157/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Dental and Optical Benefit schemes have been limited to the provision of free dental and optical examinations since 1 January 2010. Treatments previously covered under the schemes, such as fillings, extractions, spectacles and lenses, have not been paid on claims approved on or after that date. The current treatments, associated fees and the total 2011 cost in each instance are detailed below:

Treatment Current Fee Cost in 2011

Dental Examination €33.00 €8.99 million

Ophthalmic Examination €22.51 €2.85 million

Ophthalmic Exam (with dilation) €45.02 €195,000

Medical Eye Exam (single) €25.55 €920

Medical Eye Exam (double) €51.10 €239,600

The total annual fees and savings are detailed below (2009, as the last year before the schemes were reduced, is used as the reference point):

Scheme 2009 Spend 2011 Spend Saving

Dental €62.28 million €9.15 million €53.13 million

Optical €16.99 million €3.29 million €13.7 million

Total €79.27 million €12.44 million €66.83 million

The projected spend on the Dental benefit scheme in 2012 is approximately €8.5 million, with €3.4 million expected to be spent on the optical scheme.