Written answers
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Schemes
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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461.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the fees paid by her Department to optometrists for tests under the PRSI scheme; when this level of fee payment was determined; when it was last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25070/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Treatment Benefit is a PRSI-based scheme which provides free dental and optical services, and assistance towards the provision of audiological appliances and hair replacement products, to people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions, and to their dependent spouses/partners.
The current level of fee payment is in place since 2017.
The current fees payable to optometrists under this scheme are as follows:
| - | Optical Treatments |
|---|---|
| € | |
| Examinations | |
| Standard eye exam | 30.00 |
| Domiciliary Visit Exam, GP certification required re mobility | 60.00 |
| Exam with Dilation | 45.03 |
| Repeat exam, when clinically necessary | 20.00 |
| Repeat exam, with dilation, when clinically necessary | 30.00 |
| Double Ophthalmic Medical Exam incl Dilation (ophthalmologist only) | 51.10 |
| Spectacles | |
| Distance Single Vision (once every 2nd calendar year) | 42.37 |
| Reading Single Vision (once every 2nd calendar year) | 42.37 |
| Bifocal/Varifocal complete appliances (once every 2nd calendar year) | 84.19 |
| Repairs | |
| One Single Vision Lens Distance/Reading | 16.46 |
| Two Single Vision Lenses Distance/Reading | 32.94 |
| One Bifocal Lens | 37.43 |
| Two Bifocal Lenses | 74.85 |
| Frames to own Lenses | 12.17 |
| Contact Lenses (per pair) | 42.37 |
| - | Total Claims Paid |
|---|---|
| Year | €m |
| 2023 | 45 |
| 2022 | 41 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 33 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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