Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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333. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding provided under the PRSI scheme for dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42401/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The treatment benefit scheme is funded through PRSI contributions, with payments made to dentists on the basis of demand from qualified PRSI contributors for the free annual examination. The cost of the dental benefit scheme for each of the past two complete years is set out in the table below:

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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334. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the numbers and proportions of eligible persons covered by PRSI that avail of the entitlement to a free dental examination each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42402/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In 2012, the estimated number of people eligible for this Department's dental benefit scheme was 2.2 million (qualifying either on their own PRSI or on their spouses'). Dental benefit was actually claimed by 270,602 people in 2012, equating to 12.3% of the eligible population.