Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 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 2021, I made a flat rate grant of up to €500 available towards a hearing aid, with a grant of up to €1,000 for a pair. I also introduced a grant of up to €100 towards the cost of hearing aid repairs. Prior to that change, the support was limited to half the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum grant of €500 per aid. The customer also had to pay at least half the cost of the aid.

Following these enhancements to the hearing aid grant, the number of claims and expenditure on the scheme have increased by over 90%. In 2022, 25,775 people benefited from the grant at a cost of some €23.7 million.

My Department will continue to monitor the impact of the recent changes. Any further 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.