Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

369 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his proposals to increase dietary allowances from health boards for those suffering from certain conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10091/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Recipients of social welfare or health board payments who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Entitlement to a diet supplement is determined by the health boards in accordance with the legislative provisions which specify the medical conditions in respect of which a diet supplement may be paid and the means test which must be applied. The amount of supplement payable depends on which of two categories of diet has been prescribed by the applicant's medical adviser, the age of the person and on the income of the individual and his-her dependants.

The current basis for calculating the amount of diet supplement payable in any individual case was put in place in 1996. The various types of prescribed diets are grouped into two categories, one comprising lower cost diets and the other comprising higher cost diets. For the purposes of calculating the rate of diet supplement payable, the lower cost diets were deemed to cost €34.28 per week and the higher cost diets were deemed to cost €44.44 per week. In the case of a lower cost diet, the amount of diet supplement payable is €34.28 less one third of the applicant's income – one sixth in the case of a couple. In the case of a higher cost diet, the amount of diet supplement payable is €44.44 less one third of the applicant's income – one sixth in the case of a couple. Increases in weekly social welfare payment rates since 1996 are disregarded for the purposes of this means test as they would have the effect of reducing the rate of diet supplement payable in all cases and would eliminate entitlement altogether in many cases.

In the case of children under the age of 18 there is a standard rate of €10.16 per week for a higher cost diet and €6.35 per week for a lower cost diet. In the case of persons with dependent children the child dependants' allowance is not assessed.

All aspects of the diet supplement will be examined in conjunction with the review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is currently under way as part of my Department's series of formal programme evaluations. I have no immediate plans to amend any aspect of the diet supplement pending receipt of the review group's recommendations on the matter.