Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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229. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration is being given to re-instating the optical benefit scheme or the dental health scheme. [15346/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The services available under the treatment benefit scheme were restricted in Budget 2010 due to the prevailing economic situation at that time and the urgent need to reduce public expenditure. Any future expansion of the schemes would have to be considered in light of available resources and competing priorities.

The changes to the treatment benefit scheme in Budget 2010 still allow for an annual free dental exam and an optical examination every two years, encouraging people to continue attending and helping maintain their dental and optical health.

Over 2 million people remain qualified for this entitlement under their or their spouse’s PRSI contributions. In 2014 over 450,000 people availed of either a free dental or optical examination, a 13% increase in uptake since 2012.