Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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396. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the entitlement to medical appliance benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2995/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Eligibility to treatment benefit is based on a person’s PRSI record and the contributions paid in the governing contribution year (GCY) relevant to their age. In order to qualify, the person concerned (who reached age 66 in 2004) must have at least 260 reckonable PRSI (Class A/E/H/P) contributions paid since first starting work, and at least 39 such contributions paid or credited in either 2002 or 1996, the relevant GCY for his age.

According to the records held, the person concerned has only paid a total of 199 reckonable contributions since first taking up employment (self-employment contributions, paid at Class S are not reckonable for Treatment Benefit). He also has less than the required 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in both 2002 and 1996 years. As neither of the two qualifying conditions are met, the person concerned does not qualify for the treatment benefit scheme.