Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 138

General provisions as to benefit

Section 138 establishes the legal basis for treatment benefits and sets out the categories of treatment that may be covered, the expenditure limits, and a mechanism for the section's expiry.

• Entitlement to treatment benefits depends on meeting prescribed conditions set out in regulations.
• Regulations may provide for full or partial payment of dental treatment, optical treatment and appliances, medical appliances, and non-surgical hair replacement for disease-related hair loss.
• Total payments are capped at amounts agreed between the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
• The section contains a sunset provision allowing the Minister to appoint a day on which it will expire.