Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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55. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine an application for a hearing aid grant by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39888/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The hearing aid grant, provided as part of the Treatment Benefit scheme, is based on a person’s PRSI contribution record.

To be currently qualified for treatment benefit, a customer must have at least 39 contributions paid at class A/E/H or P in 2013. According to available records, the person concerned paid class S PRSI in 2013 – this is a reduced rate contribution, which is not reckonable for Treatment Benefit.

The person concerned is therefore not currently qualified for Treatment Benefit. However if he is the holder of a Medical Card, he should contact his local HSE office who will be able to advise him of entitlements under their hearing aid scheme.