Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if replacement dentures are covered for a person (details supplied) either by way of medical card or by dental benefit given that they have a full medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5188/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions. 

In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based. 

The person concerned does not qualify for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme.  Although he has the required 260 total paid contributions, he does not have the 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax years.

It should be noted that replacement dentures are not covered on the Department's treatment benefit scheme.  The scheme provides for a free annual dental examination and an annual scale and polish treatment, subject to a maximum co-payment of €15.

As the person concerned is the holder of a medical card, he may have an entitlement to benefit under the HSE scheme.  He should contact his local HSE health office for advice on his entitlement under that scheme.  

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.