Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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983. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the provision for wigs for those who have lost their hair due to medical reasons that are not specifically cancer-related; the exact amount of the grant available to support such persons with the cost of non-surgical hair replacement in each county per calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37361/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Treatment Benefit scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. It is also available to their dependent spouse or partner if applicable.

A new grant became available from 28 May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss due to disease.

The grant of up to €500 is available nationwide once every calendar year to support people towards the cost of non-surgical hair replacement, for example wigs and toupées.

Hair loss is a common issue among people that can be caused by a variety of medical conditions including autoimmune diseases such as alopecia or systemic conditions like cancer. It is not limited to people with cancer. The grant is available for hair loss in respect of a disease and not due to ageing or other natural causes.

Some 1,400 customers availed of the scheme in 2022 to the value of over €695,000. From January to June 2023, 1,600 customers have availed of the scheme to the value of over €801,000. The estimated spend in 2023 is expected to be €1.4 million.

A per county breakdown of expenditure is included below.

I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.

M&S Hair Replacement Claims

Jun to Dec 2022Jan to Jun 2023

Claims Expenditure €Claims Expenditure €

Carlow1470002010000

Cavan157057.152813560

Clare2512298199240

Cork954750012362000

Donegal 29140003417000

Dublin 444220547.9518258882

Galway 63305598542201

Kerry2914405.634220980

Kildare1155748410150447.45

Kilkenny28140003718490

Laois22110002512495

Leitrim 16 800018 8585

Limerick50 249005728500

Longford20 9980146740

Louth54 2677161 30500

Mayo38 1870558 28525

Meath 69 33650.174 36838

Monaghan136500199447.5

Offaly 32 1563524 12000

Roscommon 33 1626031 14963

Sligo16799029 14450

Tipperary643195043 21418

Waterford17837551 25500

Westmeath241189526 12980

Wexford311550027 12850

Wicklow46225504622980

Outside ROI21000196

Totals1404695512.781611 801667.95