Charles Flanagan
Question:154 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a blind pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
It has been decided to award the person concerned a blind person's pension at the maximum rate of £80.90 per week with effect from 31 August 1990. This includes the dependent child's allowance of £27.90.
The decision to award this pension is subject to review as soon as a medical report from the neuro-surgical unit of a hospital she attended is received. This report is expected later this week.
Immediate arrangements are, however, being made to issue a payment book, along with any arrears of pension due, to the person concerned.
Brendan Howlin
Question:155 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending the availability of free travel for a companion to persons in receipt of blind pension.
Last year I introduced a free travel companion pass for people in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance who are unable to travel alone. This scheme enables the mentally and physically handicapped, including the visually handicapped, who are in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance, to bring a companion with them on their free travel passes. The question of extending the companion pass to people in receipt of blind pensions from my Department will be considered in a budgetary context.
In the case of blind people who are married their free travel pass entitles a spouse to travel free of charge in the company of the passholder.