Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for a hearing aid grant under the treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31730/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Eligibility for the Department’s treatment benefit scheme, which includes the hearing aid grant, is based on meeting specific PRSI-related criteria. To qualify, the customer must have:

-paid 260 PRSI contributions at Class A, E, H, or P since first starting work; and

-have 39 such contributions paid or credited in the years immediately before turning either 60 or 66 years.

As the person concerned was self-employed for the years immediately before his 60 and 66 birthdays and was therefore liable for a class S contribution which is not reckonable for treatment benefit, he is not qualified for treatment benefits.

If the person concerned is a Medical Card holder he should contact his local HSE office, who will be able to advise him of his entitlements under their hearing aid scheme.