Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider removing the necessity for dependent spouse State pensioners from having to apply separately for dental and optical checks in cases in which they have already been approved by the system. [33250/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical, aural and hair replacement services/products to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions and their dependent spouse, partner or co-habitant . 

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 or S since starting work and 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax years. If a person does not have enough social insurance contributions to qualify for treatment benefit, they may qualify on the social insurance record of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. To avail of this option, the person must be dependent on their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.

Each service or product supported by the Treatment Benefit scheme is available within a defined period of time. For example dental treatments are available annually while optical services and products are available every second year. Each application for a service or product is assessed to confirm the applicant meets both the contribution/dependency criteria and the frequency of use criteria. Consequently it is required that all persons, including dependent spouse State pensioners, submit a separate application for both dental and optical treatments each time they wish to avail of these treatments. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.