Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if financial assistance is available to assist private patients in purchasing digital hearing aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36483/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department’s treatment benefit scheme includes a grant towards the purchase of hearing aids for people who meet the relevant PRSI conditions. The grant covers half the cost of hearing aids, subject to a maximum grant of €500 per aid.

The conditions vary with age, but a person aged between 25 and 66 years currently needs: - 260 Class A PRSI contributions paid since first starting work, and - 39 such contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year, currently the 2013 tax year.

Full details on the scheme and the qualifying conditions are available at