Extended Optical and Dental services have been made available to qualified PRSI contributors, including employees and the self-employed, and their dependent spouses or partners, Donegal TD Joe McHugh said today.
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is a scheme run by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) that provides dental, optical and aural services to qualified people.
An extension of the scheme will include up to 2.5 million people and allow them to avail of a free pair of glasses and subsidised dental treatments.
Government Chief Whip McHugh said: “This is great news for workers here in Donegal. It means they can now avail of free teeth cleaning and free glasses when they need them. This will encourage more working people to take better care of their health, which should drive down their health expenses in the longer run.
“Restoring benefits to PRSI contributors was a key commitment of Fine Gael heading into the last election and I’m delighted that we are now in a position to deliver on this.
“The Optical scheme will now cover the provision of glasses, either free or subsidised if an upgraded design is chosen, or provide a contribution towards contact lenses. Repairs to glasses are also covered under the extended scheme, in addition to the free eye examination announced earlier in 2017.
“The Dental scheme will now include a contribution to cleanings, either an annual scale and polish or more extensive periodontal treatment if clinically required. These treatments will be available in addition to the free annual dental examination also announced in March this year.
“The cleanings will require a co-payment from the patient if the cost of the treatment charged by the dentist is in excess of the fee payable by the Department. For the simpler scale and polish treatment this additional co-payment is capped at a maximum of €15,” said McHugh.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty said: “I am pleased to announce these new optical and dental treatment benefits. Currently more than 2.5m qualified contributors, including 450,000 self-employed, may have an entitlement based on their PRSI contributions to claim Treatment Benefits, and this benefit is available to both themselves and their dependent spouse or partner. ”
“Treatment benefits are an important support for those who contribute each week to social insurance fund and our commitment to these extended benefits demonstrate a Government committed to supporting people at work, be they employed or self-employed.”
Information on the scheme is available on welfare.ie.
