Free glasses provision or contribution towards glasses has been restored in Ireland for those signed up to the Treatment Benefit Scheme, it was announced this week.
The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) Ireland welcomed the announcement in the 2017 budget, which also added the inclusion of self-employed workers for the first time into the scheme.
Director of policy and strategy at FODO Ireland Ann Blackmore said: ‘FODO Ireland is delighted that the Minister has responded positively to our calls for the restoration of optical benefits and for bringing self-employed workers into the Treatment Benefit Scheme. This is a very positive move which will enable proper access to sight testing and treatments for working people.’
Since 2010, beneficiaries of the scheme who received a sight test were not entitled to receive free glasses or optical vouchers as a result of cuts made in the 2009 Budget.
Under the terms of the restoration, patients in the scheme who are tested and require glasses can be provided with free glasses or a contribution up to €42 towards the cost of glasses depending on their choice.
Minister for social protection, Leo Varadkar, in announcing the changes to the scheme said: ‘The expansion of the scheme means that the range of optical treatments will benefit up to 2.5 million people.’
Provisions for dispensing glasses or contribution towards glasses will take effect from October 2017.
