Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2083. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of a blind pension will automatically lose access to all or part of that pension if he or she marries or enters into a civil partnership; and if so, her plans to revise this policy. [28538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBlind pension is a means-tested payment for blind and visually impaired people between the ages of 18 and 66 who are habitually resident in Ireland. In the case of a married couple or a civil partnership, a means test will take into account any income belonging to the individual and the income of their spouse or partner. As a general rule, the joint means is then divided by two to determine the individual means of the claimant.
The following items are not counted as means for blind pension:-
- Claimant's own home;
- Any other payment made by this Department;
- The value of the first €20,000 of savings (for a single person) or first €40,000 (for a couple);
- Money received from a recognised charitable organisation (excluding public or local authority);
- The maintenance part of a student grant from SUSI paid to claimant, a qualified adult or child dependent(s) for certain courses;
- Income up to a certain limit from rehabilitative employment;
- Income from rehabilitative training;
- Mobility Allowance from the Department of Health; and
- Blind Welfare Allowance paid by the HSE.
It does not follow, therefore, that a person in receipt of blind pension is automatically disqualified if they marry or enter into a civil partnership. In the light of their changed circumstances, however, a full assessment of the relevant joint means will be required to determine continuing eligibility for this pension.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
