Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the substantial reduction in the dietary allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22256/05]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application for supplementary welfare allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23224/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to takes Questions Nos. 431 and 435 together.

Diet supplements are provided for under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The amount of supplement payable depends on which of two categories of diet has been prescribed by the applicant's medical adviser, low cost or high cost, and the income of the individual and his or her dependants. As diet supplements are subject to a means test, the amount payable decreases as household income increases.

The western region of the executive has advised that the rate of diet supplement previously in payment to the person concerned had been on his income from disability allowance. The person concerned subsequently transferred to an old age pension and his entitlement to diet supplement was reviewed to take account of the increase in his income, in accordance with the scheme rules. Following the review, his revised entitlement is equivalent to €5.50 per month. The person has been advised by the executive of his right of appeal against this decision but there is no record that he had done so to date. Apart from the diet supplement, the executive is not aware of any other application by the person for supplementary welfare allowance.