Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2021
178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the blind pension that were rejected in 2020 as a result of Arts Council grants or funding putting the applicant above the means test eligibility threshold. [28520/21]
View answerBlind pension is a residency based means tested payment paid to blind and visually impaired people between the age of 18 and 66 who are habitually resident in the State.
There are currently 1,069 customers in receipt of blind pension.
The Department does not, in ordinary course, collate data on the specific grounds of disallowances in relation to the range of social assistance schemes it delivers.
I am advised, however, that based on the Department's records, no claims for blind pension were disallowed in 2020 because of Arts Council grants or funding resulting in a claimant's means exceeding the statutory weekly limit.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
