Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to persons who have special dietary requirements after the suspension of the diet supplement payment for new applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28417/14]
View answerDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition.
Following the outcome of a review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute commissioned by the Department during 2013, the scheme has been closed to new applicants from 1 February 2014. The average costs of the diets supplemented under the scheme can be met from within one third of the current rate of personal social welfare payments. Payment of the supplement will continue to be made to the existing recipients for as long as they continue to be entitled to the payment.
Staff who administer the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme have statutory powers to award a payment or supplement in cases of exceptional need. Customers experiencing financial hardship should contact the local officer administering the SWA scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
