Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:26 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason there is no contributory blind pension; if he intends to introduce such a pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18199/95]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:99 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce a contributory blind old-age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18811/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 99 together.
The blind pension, first introduced in 1920, is a means-tested pension payable to people who are resident in the State and are blind or visually impaired. The blind pension has been historically linked with the old age non-contributory pension. It is payable at the same rate and subject to the same general means test conditions as that pension. Those persons in receipt of a blind pension automatically qualify for free travel and may also qualify for the free schemes operated by my Department subject, of course, to the normal qualifying criteria.
When a blind or visually impaired person reaches 66 they can qualify for an old age contributory pension (age 65 in the case of retirement pension) subject, of course, to satisfying the normal qualifying criteria.
Persons in receipt of a blind pension from my Department can also qualify for widow's non-contributory pension, survivor's pension, deserted wife's benefit, deserted wife's allowance, lone parent's allowance, unemployment benefit or disability benefit and may receive both payments simultaneously. Duplicate adult and child dependant allowances are also paid in such circumstances.
Blind pensions form part of the social assistance payments which target resources towards those most in need. There are also proposals to introduce either a contributory blind pension or a contributory blind old age pension.