Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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274. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the community ophthalmic services scheme standard eye examination contractors’ fee is now to be equal to the eye test fee payable to contractors under her Department’s optical benefit scheme; will the optical benefit scheme fee itself now be raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11301/24]

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 dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

Department officials are due to meet with Optometry Ireland shortly to discuss the optical benefit scheme.

The community ophthalmic services scheme standard eye examination does not fall under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. The contractor's fee on that scheme is a matter for the Department of Health.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.

The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.

Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need.

This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

Where it is determined by an officer that the person and their household do not have the ability to meet any of the need presented, then full assistance would be provided to meet the need.

Alternatively, where an officer determines that there is an ability by the person and their household to partially meet the need presented, then partial assistance is provided.

Guidance issued to the Community Welfare Service on the administration of Additional Needs Payments does not reference maximum percentage payable.

A general overview of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is published at www.gov.ie - Supplementary Welfare Allowance, with a separate link to the specific details of the Additional Needs Payments.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.