THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced that it has expanded the range of optical and dental services available to PRSI contributors.

The optical scheme now covers glasses which you can get for free, or get a portion of the cost if you choose an upgraded design. Alternatively, you can get a contribution towards contact lenses.

You can also get repairs to glasses covered under the scheme.

As of Saturday 28 October, workers are also now entitled to a full-scale and polish, and if necessary, protracted periodontal treatment, in addition to the existing free dental exam.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “If the normal fee charged by the individual dental clinic for a scale or polish is €42 or less, the treatment will be free to the customer. However, if the normal fee is over €42, the customer will pay the balance up to a maximum co-payment of €15.”

The cost of these schemes for the full year is expected to be over €70 million in 2018 and Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said that millions of PRSI contributors could benefit.

She said:

Currently over 2.5 million 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.

For more information on the Treatment Benefit Fund log on to the website here about what treatments you are entitled to.

Read: Your PRSI will now let you get a free scale and polish

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