Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

513. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider introducing a dedicated financial support scheme for young adults under the age of 40 with invisible disabilities, specifically to assist with the cost of essential assistive technologies such as hearing aids; if the Minister will review the current limitations of the treatment benefit scheme and associated supports, which often fail to meet the real needs of individuals with lifelong conditions such as hearing loss, dyslexia, and coordination difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15466/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In general, medical or health related benefits, including those related to hearing loss and associated conditions, fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. My Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.

In general, and subject to also meeting other qualifying conditions, to access the benefits under the scheme a person needs 260 applicable contributions to qualify. However, recognising the limited social insurance record of younger contributors, there are lower contribution requirements for persons up to age 28. For those aged under 21, the only requirement is to have at least 39 contributions paid at any time. For those aged between 21 - 28 years, they are required to have at least 39 paid contributions and meet a second requirement of at least 39 paid or credited in the governing contribution year (2023 is the governing contribution year for claims made in 2025) or at least 26 paid contributions in each of the second and third last contribution years (for claims made in 2025 the second last contribution year is 2023 and the third last contribution year is 2022).

Once qualified, a person may avail of the dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits available under the scheme. As part of the medical appliances benefits, grants towards hearing aids are available. A flat rate grant of up to €500 is available towards a hearing aid (up to €1,000 for a pair) once every four years. A grant of up to €100 is also available towards the cost of hearing aid repairs.

My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.