Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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860. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an application for treatment benefit and optical benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23182/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In order to qualify for treatment benefit (when aged over 66 years) a PRSI contributor must satisfy the conditions of having a total of 260 paid contributions at class A/E/H/P/S since starting work and 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax years.

The person concerned does not meet this criteria. Although he has the 260 required paid contributions, he does not have the 39 paid at the relevant rate or credited contributions in any of the years 2000 to 2007, which are the relevant tax years on which the claim is based. As a result, he does not satisfy the conditions for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme.

However, if the person concerned is the holder of a medical card he may have an entitlement to treatment under the HSE scheme. If this is the case he should contact his local HSE health office for advice on making a claim.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.