David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 236: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action that he has taken as a result of the report from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute on the cost of healthy eating and specialised diets here which he received in January 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The report referred to by the deputy is the Examination of the Cost of Healthy Eating and Specialised Diets undertaken on behalf of my Department by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) which was published in January 2006.

The report is the most comprehensive review of specialised diets and foods costs that has been carried out in Ireland in the past decade. It has brought an up to date focus on the varying costs of healthy foods and also contains proposals for specialised diets based on the latest dietary and medical views. In undertaking this study, INDI designed an example of a nutritionally balanced, healthy eating diet and also examples of various specialised diets. A survey was carried out to find out the cost of those diets at a range of shop types. The report examined the special diets prescribed in legislation for which assistance is available through the diet supplement scheme and considered the appropriate level of assistance required to cater for any additional costs involved in providing for necessary special diets, relative to the cost of a normal healthy eating diet.

The study recommended, following its detailed research, a new framework for classifying the various diets under which the former prescribed diets would fall into one of four categories:

—Gluten Free Diet

—Low Lactose Milk Free Diet

—High Protein High Calorie Diet

—Liquidised Altered Consistency Diet.

My Department has now finalised a revised diet supplemented scheme, and regulations came into operation on 3 April 2006 that give effect to the findings and recommendations of the study. The level of diet supplement payable is based on the cost of food in convenience stores (i.e. the highest cost) in recognition of the fact that some people will not be in a position to do their shopping at the cheapest shops due to age or lack of transport.

As with previous Diet Supplement arrangements, 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 who is unable to provide for his or her food needs from within his or her own resources, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The amount of supplement payable depends on which category of diet has been prescribed by the applicant's medical advisor, as well as the income of the individual and his/her dependants.