Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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515. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for the treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9216/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.

The Department has undertaken a review of the social insurance record of the person concerned and can confirm that they are now eligible for the Treatment Benefit Scheme. An approval notification for optical benefit will issue to them shortly.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.