Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available to cover a pensioner (details supplied) with a medical card who is on disability and is not covered under the scheme. [15720/23]

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

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

The person concerned has the required number of PRSI contributions paid to qualify for the treatment benefit scheme and is qualified for life. As a result, he will be entitled to a free optical examination and a contribution towards the cost of optical appliances. He should contact his optician who will make the application on his behalf.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is considering extending the treatment benefit scheme to cover the cost of medical microblading for eyebrow replacement in those suffering hair loss due to illness, cancer treatment or alopecia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15738/23]

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

In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the Treatment Benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable.

As part of Budget 2022, I announced an expansion to the range of services available under the medical appliances strand of the scheme. A new grant was provided from 28 May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease.

The new grant is subject to medical eligibility requirements in addition to the general eligibility requirements for Treatment Benefit. The qualifying medical conditions and treatments are outlined in Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No.7) (Treatment Benefit) Regulations 2022 - S.I. No. 259 of 2022.

The treatments covered under this grant include non-surgical hair replacement relating to hair loss on the scalp area e.g. wigs or hair pieces. The grant does not cover micro-blading.

While I have no plans to expand the scheme further at this time, my Department keeps schemes under regular review to make sure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.