Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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663. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to historic cases by which women were given PPS numbers linked directly to that of their husband and who required the approval of their husband in order to attain social benefit payments (details supplied). [21200/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Eligibility for Treatment Benefit is based on a person having the required number of PRSI contributions paid, in total and in the relevant contribution year. Where a person does not have the required contributions themselves they may qualify if they are considered to be financially dependent on a spouse/partner who is a qualified contributor, A person is considered to be financially dependent if they are not in receipt of certain social welfare payments in their own right and do not have other income of more than 100 euros per week.

The manner in which a person was allocated their PPS number does not impact on their eligibility for any social welfare benefit.

Where a person applies for treatment benefit as a dependent spouse, the consent of the insured person (PRSI record holder) is sought, to make them aware that their record will be accessed for this purpose. A protocol is in place to deal with cases where it is not possible to have the insured record holder provide this consent.

If the person concerned wishes to have their eligibility further reviewed, they can do so by contacting the treatment benefit section by email at tb.queries@welfare.ie

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.