Major boost to PRSI eyesight and dental benefits from today

AFTER years in which they were drastically reduced as part of government austerity measures, improved eyesight and dental benefits are finally available to workers from today.

Changes to PRSI services initiated by Leo Varadkar last year, will see insured workers being able to have damaged glasses repaired, or their teeth scaled and polished – for free.

The entitlement now also extends to the self-employed and dependent spouses and partners, after long years in which they received nothing in return for contributions made.

The optical scheme now covers the provision of glasses, either totally free or subsidised if an upgraded design is chosen, or a contribution towards contact lenses. Repairs to glasses are also covered. The dental benefits will now include a contribution to cleanings, either an annual scale and polish, or more extensive treatment, if required.

This is 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 a simple scale and polish, this worker co-payment is capped at a maximum of €15. The Taoiseach has said he intends to roll the USC and PRSI into a single contribution – but one which would offer significantly improved benefits for the workers.

More than 2.5million workers, including 450,000 self-employed, may have an entitlement to the new benefits. The cost is expected to exceed €70million next year.

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said yesterday: ‘Treatment benefits are an important support for those who contribute each week to the Social Insurance Fund. Our commitment ...demonstrates a government supporting all people at work, be they employed or self-employed.’