Vol. 559 No. 3
115 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the request by the Western Health Board for a revised interpretation of the method of payment of blind welfare allowance; the cost implication of this request; the number of people affected; the progress which has been made on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26167/02]
My Department has been informed that all health boards including the Western Health Board, since the beginning of this year, have been calculating blind welfare allowance on the basis of a revised methodology. However, the health boards did not enter into prior consultation with the Department before using the revised methodology.
In July of this year, the health boards forwarded an annual costing of implementing the revised methodology and a costing for arrears. My Department is currently examining these costings.
