Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 224: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider amending the rules governing the blind welfare allowance scheme in order that those in receipt of a blind pension and disability benefit are not, due to the amount they receive in respect of these two payments, precluded from receiving the blind welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16384/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Persons who meet the medical eligibility criteria for Blind Welfare Allowance will be paid Blind Welfare Allowance provided that their income does not exceed the eligibility threshold. Income in excess of the threshold is deducted from Blind Welfare Allowance on a euro for euro basis. All applicants are assessed in accordance with the same rules irrespective of the source of their income. Therefore beneficiaries of the two allowances are not necessarily precluded from receiving Blind Welfare Allowance.