Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if it is acceptable that extra allowances such as the supplementary welfare allowance diet supplement are being cut off or reduced for persons in receipt of the State pension as a result of the increase of €3 in the State pension; if this counteracts the increase announced in Budget 2016; if this was intended when the increase was announced; if she will ensure that reviews of such payments acknowledge the purpose of the increase in the State pension and make allowance for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4514/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Diet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, is payable to qualifying persons, in receipt of the supplement prior to February 2014, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition.

Following the outcome of a review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute commissioned by the Department during 2013, the scheme has been closed to new applicants from 1 February 2014. The research showed that the average costs of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one third of the current rate of personal social welfare payments. A decision was taken to allow existing recipients to continue to receive the diet supplement at the current rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This measure ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme. An increase in weekly means, including any increase in social welfare income including state pension, affects the rate of diet supplement payable.

Community Welfare Service (CWS) staff who administer the SWA scheme continue to have statutory powers to award a payment or supplement in cases of exceptional need. Customers experiencing financial hardship should contact their local CWS officer who may be able to offer assistance.