Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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268. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total spend on the dental treatment benefit scheme in 2010; the cost to maintain 2010 levels of spending on the scheme between the years 2011 and 2023 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27118/24]

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.

Dental Expenditure per year 2010-2023

*In 2010/2011 there was a reduction in the number of dental treatments covered.

**In 2017/2018 eligibility was extended to the self-employed in addition to the reintroduction of cover for the scale and polish treatment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.