Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1438. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider including androgenic alopecia in the treatment benefit scheme in order that those affected can be assisted with the cost of purchasing wigs which can be very expensive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19905/25]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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1469. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to include androgenic alopecia in the treatment benefit scheme to provide some relief from the high financial burden of purchasing wigs or other such accessories. [20753/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 and 1469 together.

In general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, 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.

The hair replacement grant was introduced in 2022 as an expansion to the range of services available under the medical appliances element of the scheme. A grant of up to €500 is available towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss as a direct result of an illness, treatment for an illness such as cancer and also a number of types of alopecia.

People with certain types of alopecia that are diagnosed as an illness can access this grant. Other hair loss conditions that are due to ageing or other natural causes do not qualify for the scheme. Based on advice from medical officials in my Department, the types of alopecia covered are:

•alopecia areata (which includes alopecia totalis/universalis, diffuse alopecia areata, alopecia ophiasis),

•primary scarring alopecias (including cicatricial alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris alopecia),

•chemotherapy induced alopecia (anagen effluvium),

•alopecia resulting from surgery or trauma, including burns.

There are no plans to add other conditions to the list at this time. However, I have asked my Department to keep this scheme and support under review and I will consider changes to the extension of this grant to other conditions would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.