Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
367. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider changing the regulations to allow the blind pension to be paid concurrently with the invalidity pension given that it is means-tested (details supplied). [34737/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit (IB) is a payment made to people who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. The maximum payment duration for IB is two years. Persons on IB may apply for Invalidity Pension (IP) if they are permanently incapable of work or have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and are likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months.
It is important to note that it is not a requirement that a person needs to be in receipt of IB in order to apply for IP.
IP is a long-term payment for persons who are permanently incapable of work and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions - it is not means tested. To be eligible a person must have not less than 260 weeks contributions paid and not less than 48 weeks contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete tax year.
Persons in receipt of IP are also eligible for the Free Travel Scheme (free travel pass). They may also qualify for other secondary benefits such as the fuel allowance, living alone increase and the household benefits package.
Blind Pension is one of two means-tested disability related payments provided by the Department. As at the end of April 2021 there were almost 155,000 persons in receipt of these payments, comprising 153,805 in receipt of the Disability Allowance and 1,069 in receipt of the Blind Pension.
The Blind Pension is paid, subject to the means test, to blind people and certain people with low vision, aged between 18 and 66, who are habitually resident in the State.
The assessment of means reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves, so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.
It is important to note that the two scheme types - the social insurance benefits (Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension) and the social assistance payments (Disability Allowance and Blind pension) are fundamentally different: the former are payments based on PRSI contributions made, while the latter are means tested payments. It would not be appropriate to provide automatic access from one to the other.
It should be noted that for those in financial difficulty, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance, including Urgent Needs Payments or Exceptional Needs Payments, are available through my department's Intreo centres. This is a means-tested payment administered by this Department’s Community Welfare Service.
My Department will continue to keep the range of supports available under review. The Deputy will be aware that any proposed change would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
