Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1168. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health his plans to taper the withdrawal of the blind welfare allowance in circumstances in which a blind person takes up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36048/19]
View answerThe Blind Welfare Allowance is a means tested, supplementary payment, which is administered by the Health Service Executive. It is paid on a weekly basis to eligible persons from 18 years of age, who are blind or visually impaired who are in receipt of an existing Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection income maintenance payment; or an equivalent type Social Security payment from another country; or to eligible persons whose income is below the combined Blind Pension rate and Blind Welfare Allowance rate.
As this is a means tested payment, the rate of the Blind Welfare Allowance payable is determined on the basis of the total assessable income of the applicant.
As the administration of the Blind Welfare Allowance is a service matter, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive, for a more detailed reply to the Deputy.
