Pat Breen
Question:121 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the diabetic allowance of a person (details supplied) in County Clare has ceased. [2195/05]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2005
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Written answers
Diet supplements are provided for under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The amount of supplement payable is subject to a means test and depends on which of two categories of diet — low cost or high cost — has been prescribed by the applicant's medical advisor and the income of the individual and his or her dependants.
The western regional office of the Health Service Executive was contacted about this case. It has advised that the person concerned had been in receipt of a diet supplement in respect of a low-cost diet — adult diabetic diet — while in receipt of disability allowance. The amount of diet supplement in payment was €16.80 per month, which is equivalent to €3.88 per week. The person was awarded old age pension of €139 per week with effect from 16 January 2004, in place of disability allowance of €128.80 per week, which he had been paid up to that date. When the person was awarded an old age pension his entitlement to a diet supplement was reviewed, as his weekly social welfare payment had increased by €10.20 per week. When the level of increased household income was assessed he was found to have means in excess of the prescribed limit and, accordingly, payment of his diet supplement ceased. This decision was subsequently upheld by an appeals officer.