Campaign needed to boost take-up of grant aiming to help people suffering hair loss due to chemotherapy or alopecia – Higgins

An awareness campaign is needed to boost take-up of a new grant scheme designed to help people suffering from hair loss, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Emer Higgins, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West has established that 183 people have so far availed of the €500 grant towards the cost of a wig or a hairpiece due to hair loss as a direct result of illness such as alopecia or chemotherapy cancer treatment.

Deputy Higgins said, “After campaigning for the introduction of this grant, I am keeping an eye on its progress. I recently questioned the Minister for Social Protection on the matter and it was confirmed to me that since the introduction of the grant a little over two months ago, 183 people have received it.

“While it is very positive that a number of people have benefitted so far, I am sure that many more people qualify. We need to get the word out that this grant is available to people and I encourage medical social workers to remind people about the grant.

“The grant operates under the Treatment Benefit Scheme and provides up to €500 for one hairpiece or wig each year.

“I also believe this grant should be made available to those who suffer hair loss as a result of mental health issues like eating disorders such as anorexia, and this is something for which I will continue to campaign,” concluded Deputy Higgins.