Dental and optical benefits
Deputy McLoughlin asked when promised dental and optical benefits for employed and self-employed PRSI contributors would be restored and extended. The Minister for Social Protection said legislation had been signed and that by month-end 500,000 self-employed people and their spouses would gain free eye and dental checks.
It was announced in the programme for Government and budget 2017 that the Government is seeking to expand the level of dental services available to both the employed and self-employed who pay PRSI contribution in this country. On this basis, can the Tánaiste or the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, advise me when these services will be reintroduced and what services will become available? Will the optical benefit scheme which was announced also be extended?
Comment on this
There is a Government commitment to bring about a new deal for the self-employed in Ireland, which includes equalising their tax treatment, providing more supports for entrepreneurs and also extending new social insurance benefits to them, including the extension of the treatment benefit. The commitment is that by the end of the month 500,000 people who are self-employed, including farmers, and their dependent spouses, will have access to the free eye check and free dental check on the same basis as other employees who pay PRSI. I signed the legislation to do that yesterday. It will come into effect next week.