Vol. 487 No. 6
222 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of blind welfare allowance from blind persons on back-to-work allowance which has been highlighted by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he has received or sought a view on these issues from the Ombudsman. [4980/98]
Blind welfare allowance is a supplementary weekly allowance. It is paid by health boards to unemployed blind people; entitlement is subject to a means test. It may be paid to recipients of disability allowance, blind pension or old age pension.
The assessment of entitlement to a blind welfare allowance in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. Accordingly, I have requested the chief executive officer, Eastern Health Board to write directly to the Deputy about this particular case.
I have not received a view on these issues from the Ombudsman. I have no function in relation to seeking a view from the Ombudsman on specific cases.
