Treatment Benefit is a PRSI-based scheme which provides free dental and optical services, and assistance towards the provision of audiological appliances and hair replacement products, to people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions, and to their dependent spouses/partners.
Dental Expenditure per year 2010-2023
|
Year
|
Total Expenditure
|
|
2010*
|
€ 25,532,545.00
|
|
2011
|
€ 9,121,251.15
|
|
2012
|
€ 8,896,690.00
|
|
2013
|
€ 9,855,051.40
|
|
2014
|
€ 10,240,692.00
|
|
2015
|
€ 10,316,520.00
|
|
2016
|
€ 10,546,270.00
|
|
2017
|
€ 11,744,463.00
|
|
2018**
|
€ 46,910,000.00
|
|
2019
|
€ 48,451,002.00
|
|
2020
|
€ 41,191,251.00
|
|
2021
|
€ 50,987,115.00
|
|
2022
|
€ 55,224,660.00
|
|
2023
|
€ 59,882,514.00
|
*In 2010/2011 there was a reduction in the number of dental treatments covered.
**In 2017/2018 eligibility was extended to the self-employed in addition to the reintroduction of cover for the scale and polish treatment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.