Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the income limits for a person to be entitled to diet allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29588/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Any person who is receiving a social welfare or health service executive payment who has been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition, and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The amount of diet supplement payable in individual cases is calculated by assessing one-third (single people) or one-sixth (couples) of the applicant's weekly income against the cost of the relevant diet. The last study into the cost of specialised diets was carried out in 2007. Accordingly, when diet supplement payments for qualifying individuals are being calculated the social welfare rates for 2007 are used. The Department intends reviewing the diet supplement scheme in 2012.