Mary Flaherty
Question:39 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the dietary allowance is being severely eroded; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with the matter.
Written Answers. - Diet Supplements.
Social welfare recipients who have a special dietary requirement arising from a health condition and whose means are insufficient to meet this need, may qualify for an additional weekly payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Entitlement to payments of a diet supplement is determined by the health boards by reference to standard costed diets. The supplement paid is in respect of the additional cost of the special diet over and above the amount a person would be expected to pay for a normal diet. Where a recipient of a diet supplementary receives an increase in income, for example through an increase in social welfare payments, the value of the supplement is recalculated and may be reduced as a consequence.
I will be reviewing the operation of the provisions of dietary supplements under the scheme during the coming months. In this connection I understand that the Eastern Health Board has established a committee to review the payment of diet supplements and that the recommendations of the committee will be presented to the board shortly. I will take account in the context of my review of the conclusions of the board in this matter.