882. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the payment of the grant that covers the provision of hair wigs for cancer and alopecia suffers, with a view to making the payment directly payable to the applicant. [1433/25]

884. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reviews carried out since 2022 of the grant amounts for hair wigs; and if the payable amount is set to increase in 2025. [1435/25]

885. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the role her Department played in setting the criteria for inclusion on the hair replacement products list; and the process for inclusion on the list, including the required qualifications. [1436/25]

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 certain 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.

A new grant was introduced from May 2022 towards the cost of wigs and hairpieces for people who suffer from hair loss, due to disease such as cancer and a number of types of alopecia. The €500 grant toward the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement is available to individuals and their dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the treatment benefit scheme. The grant is payable for one item per calendar year.

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.

Under the Treatment Benefit scheme, a range of private suppliers hold contracts with the Department for the provision of services to qualified persons. The hair replacement contract specifies that "a 'wig' means any hair replacement item for the scalp, to include full wigs, hair pieces or toupee but does not include surgical hair replacement or topical applications."

In keeping with the other elements of the treatment benefit scheme, the qualified person is free to source the appropriate hair replacement product from a supplier of their choice and decide themselves which product they wish to purchase. Once chosen, the grant will cover the price of the product up to €500, with any excess over this amount paid by the qualified person.

Treatment benefit is a prior approval scheme and the current process allows contracted suppliers to check the eligibility of the customer and, following treatment or the provision of a product, make a claim online, via my Department’s portal ‘WelfarePartners’.

To be included on my Department's approved list of suppliers for hair replacement products, a provider must undertake to provide such products under the following terms and conditions of their contract with my Department:

(a) Have and maintain professional indemnity insurance.

(b) Maintain tax compliance and provide proof of such as is required by the Minister from time to time.

(c) Operate a practice address which is open to the public during normal business hours and any advertisement should mention this address and its contact details.

(d) Provide a minimum of 12 months guarantee on any product provided.

My Department keeps its schemes under regular review to make sure they continue to meet their objectives. This particular scheme has been kept under review since its introduction in 2022. Any change in the level or method of payment available under the scheme would have to be considered in a policy and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.