DENTAL AND OPTICAL benefits, once removed from PRSI workers, are to be returned.

All classes of PRSI employees will have dental and optical benefits restored to them under a suite of social welfare measures announced in today’s Budget.

The plans will see 2.5 million people have access to dental cleaning and payments towards glasses.

It will extend to workers who pay PRSI and the self-employed.

Everyone who pays PRSI to get free teeth cleans and specs, subject to negotiations with dentists and opticians 🤓😁 pic.twitter.com/iqgbDpNpIx — Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) October 11, 2016 Source: Christina Finn /Twitter

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said that the plan would bring 380,000 self-employed people into the PSRI net for the first time.

“They will have new benefits extended to them, including treatment benefit such as free eye and dental tests for the first time, and access to the safety-net of State income supports if they have a serious illness or injury that prevents them from working without having to go through a means test.

“This theme is taken up by the re-introduction of some dental benefits linked to PRSI for all classes of PRSI payees, including employees, and special measures for working lone parents so they can keep more of the income they earn.”

The Budget includes a host of social welfare measures, including an increase in the Christmas bonus and €5 across the board for social protection payments.