Written answers
Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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372. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider providing additional funding next year to the treatment benefit scheme, to increase optical benefit payments claims by dispensing opticians and optometrists under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46536/23]
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. The scheme is demand-led. €162 million has been provided for the scheme in 2024, an increase of over 25% on the 2023 Estimate.
Should a review of the optical Treatment Benefit scheme be considered in the future, any such review would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
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