Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

40. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase funding for or reform the dental treatment benefit and services schemes so that PRSI payers will have their benefits reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48965/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The treatment benefit scheme is paid from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). Due to a shortfall in the funds available from the SIF, subvention to the fund from the general exchequer was required from 2010. Given that the expenditure pressures on the Fund were likely to continue and the need to get the public finances back on track, changes to the benefits available under the treatment benefit scheme were introduced from January 2010.

These changes included limiting dental benefit to a free annual examination. This was retained to encourage customers to continue attending for checkups and so to address some of the concerns regarding the population’s dental health. In 2013 almost 300,000 free examinations were provided to insured customers at a cost of almost €10m, this figure will increase further for 2014.

Entitlements arising from PRSI contributions are not confined to dental benefit, a range of other benefits are available to qualified people. These include jobseeker’s benefit, illness benefit, maternity benefit, and state pensions. A more detailed explanation of PRSI benefits is available on the Department’s website, .

Changes to the treatment benefit scheme will continue to be considered as part of the overall welfare package, in light of available resources and competing priorities.