Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1167. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a change will be made to the blind welfare allowance in order that it is not counted when assessing means for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4568/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2020, I introduced a measure to totally disregard all income received by recipients of blind welfare allowance in the assessment of means for social assistance payments.

Blind welfare allowance is a means tested Health Service Executive supplementary payment which is paid to eligible persons who are blind or visually impaired. The maximum rate payable is €60 per week for an adult, with a €4.40 increase for each child dependent.

Since the beginning of January 2020, income received as part of the Blind Welfare Allowance is no longer taken into account in the assessment of means for any social assistance payment, including Disability Allowance.