Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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518. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if any financial supports are available for children's eyecare costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15613/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In general, medical or health related benefits, including those relating to eyecare, 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.

Treatment benefit is an insurance-based scheme which provides benefits to eligible contributors towards the provision of treatment and appliances. These treatments are also available to their dependent spouse or partner, if applicable. Benefits under the scheme are only available to adults and cannot be claimed in respect of their children.

I have no plans to bring children within the scope of the treatment benefit scheme. Any changes to the current scheme would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.