Mary Flaherty
Ceist:45 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the dietary allowance is being severely eroded; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with the matter.
Written Answers. - Dietary Allowance.
Social welfare recipients who have a special dietary requirement arising from a health condition and whose means are insufficient to meet this need, may qualify for an additional weekly payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
Entitlement to payment of a diet supplement is determined by the health boards by reference to standard costed diets. The supplement paid is in respect of the additional cost of the special diet over and above the amount a person would be expected to pay for a normal diet.
Where a recipient of a diet supplement receives an increase in income, for example through an increase in social welfare payments, the value of the supplement is recalculated and may be reduced as a consequence.
The Eastern Health Board has established a committee to review the payment of diet supplements and the recommendations of the committee will be available shortly. I have directed my Department to examine this matter in the light of the findings and recommendations, and to report to me.