Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.

Godfrey Timmins

Question:

63 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the last increase in payment of the dietary allowance was granted; if he will ensure that this payment is increased with inflation, in line with current retail prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Payment of a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is provided for in section 179 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993 as amended by paragraph 3 of the Sixth Schedule to that Act and in SI 382 of 1995.

A person whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, or the needs of any dependants, may be eligible to receive a diet supplement where the person, or their dependants, has been prescribed a specified diet by a hospital consultant or qualified dietition in respect of a specified medical condition.

Recent changes to the legislation relating to diet supplements has led to the following improvements: a standard supplement of either £5 or £8, depending on the type of diet, is paid in respect of child dependants under the age of 18 years of age; the definition of a qualified child has been extended, for the purposes of diet supplements, to include children between 18 and 22 years of age in full-time education who are dependent on their parents — such child dependants are treated as adults for the purpose of calculating the amount of diet supplement to be paid; the amount of supplement paid in respect of an adult is either £27 or £35, depending on the type of diet, less a proportion of the applicant's weekly income — the amount of this reduction depends on whether the applicant is: a single person or lone parent; a member of a couple; in receipt of a rent or mortgage supplement; the amount of any benefit or assistance paid in respect of a child dependant is not assessed as income when calculating a diet supplement in respect of an adult; where the applicant is in receipt of a rent or mortgage supplement, any excess income over the SWA rate is not taken into account when calculating the diet supplement. This allows for the fact that such excess income has already been taken into account when calculating the rent or mortgage supplement.

With regard to the rate of diet supplement payable, it is my intention to take the necessary steps, within a budgetary context, to ensure that the rates will be increased in line with the rates of other social welfare payments. This should ensure that eligible applicants will retain the full value of the diet supplement.