883. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for hair wigs, per county, for both successful and unsuccessful applications, for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and the total value of the approved applications, per year. [1434/25]

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

The hair replacement benefit, introduced in 2022 is an annual benefit of up to €500 available to persons who satisfy the medical requirements and the PRSI conditions of the Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme.

The payment assists people who have suffered hair loss due to a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or certain types of alopecia to purchase a hair replacement product (HRP).

Of those persons who satisfy the PRSI conditions of the scheme, the following claims per

county were paid.

Number of HRP Customers paid by Customer County

• Information based on claims paid during the relevant calendar year.

• Resident county is based on the customer’s current address as per Department’s records.

Of those persons who satisfy the PRSI conditions of the scheme, the following claims per

county were disallowed.

Number of HRP Customers Disallowed by Customer County

Total value of approved applications 2022-2024

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.