asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 has been refused a diet allowance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme operated by the Eastern Health Board, despite suffering from multiple sclerosis and supplying a letter from her doctor stating that she needs a special diet; that the only grounds for refusal was that she did not have a dietician's report, which she could not afford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
65.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that the application for a weekly diet supplement in this case has not been decided pending clarification of the person's dietary requirements. The dietician's report is required for this purpose. As the person concerned is, apparently, the holder of a medical card she would not be expected to pay the costs of this report.
The health board will give a decision on her application as soon as the report in question is received.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15, who has a permanent disability and is chronically ill, has been taken off invalidity pension once again this year and arrears of pension due to him since the previous occasion have still not been paid.
The person concerned was examined by a medical referee of the Department on 2 October 1989 who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. A deciding officer decided that the person concerned was not therefore entitled to be paid invalidity pension from 25 October 1989. The person concerned was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal on 18 October 1989.
He has now appealed this decision and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee of the Department. The entitlement of the person concerned to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this examination.
Arrangements have been made for payment of outstanding supplementary welfare allowance in respect of the period from 2 March 1989 to 17 May 1989 and a cheque for £135.60 will be issued by the Eastern Health Board at an early date.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 has been refused a rent allowance under the Eastern Health Board supplementary welfare allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only reason offered to the person concerned was that his landlord refused to supply the Eastern Health Board with details of the rent charged; the reason the figure supplied by the person concerned has not been accepted by the Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Where assistance with rent costs is being sought under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, health boards generally must have evidence for normal control and audit purposes, of the amount of rent payments other than that supplied by the applicant.
In this case the Eastern Health Board have indicated that they are unable to properly verify the rent of the accommodation in question. When this verification is available the entitlement of the person concerned to a rent supplement will be determined. It is understood that he is at present seeking new accommodation and the board have indicated that they will assist him with the deposit and weekly rent on the new accommodation and examine his entitlement to a rent allowance in respect of it.