Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the blind allowance pension is reduced when a person reaches State pension age; and if her Department will rectify this situation. [27036/24]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to rectify an issue with the blind pension (details supplied). [27263/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 272 together.

My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.The primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired is the Blind Pension, which is a means-tested payment and the only income support payment designed to cater for a specific disability.Blind Pension is a working age payment paid to people aged 18 to 66 years.Eligibility for Blind Pension requires that a person’s vision is impaired to such an extent that they cannot perform any work for which eyesight is essential or cannot continue in their ordinary occupation. The maximum personal rate of Blind Pension is currently €232 per week.By contrast, the State Pension, whether Contributory or Non-Contributory, is not a working age payment. It is paid to those who have reached pensionable age 66. Currently, the maximum weekly personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) is €277.30, over €45 per week more than those in receipt of the maximum Blind Pension payment. A person in receipt of Blind Pension can get Widows Contributory Pension or Widows Non-Contributory Pension up to the age of 66 and then they must transfer to the State Pension, as Blind Pension is payable from 18 to 66 years of age.Any person experiencing financial hardship may seek financial assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, by way of an Exceptional Needs Payment or Urgent Needs Payment. This scheme does not have age criteria.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.