Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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913.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the fees paid per patient to optometrists for each eye examination under the Department's optical benefit scheme now; the amount paid in 2008 and 2015; whether she intends increasing this, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33957/24]

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.

In 2023, €44.7 million was paid in respect of over 1,073,000 treatments eligible under the Optical Benefit Treatment Benefit Scheme with €16.5 million being in respect of Eye examinations.

A review of the Optical Benefit scheme is ongoing and the Department intends concluding the review in the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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914.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of optometrists registered with the social welfare optical benefit scheme in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33959/24]

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.

Opticians, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists who have a contract (panellist) with the Department provide products and services as set out in the Optical and Dispensing Agreements.

The Department maintains a list of panellists which is updated as panellists join and leave the scheme. There are currently 392 panellists registered with the Department’s Optical Benefit Scheme, which includes an additional 17 panellists registered in 2024 to date.

The number of panellists will regularly change and the Department does not hold historic records of the number of panellists at specific dates.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.