Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
584. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to change the process for certifying the level of vision of a person receiving the blind welfare allowance; if qualifying persons for the blind welfare allowance will continue to be able to confirm their level of vision through an optometrist’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth do not plan to change the process to certify the level of vision for those applying to the Blind Welfare Allowance.
To qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance, the clinical requirement is that an applicant’s best vision must be equal to or less than 6/60 in the better eye or, if the field of vision is limited, the widest diameter of vision must subtend an angle of not greater than 20 degrees.
Persons may qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance if they are getting the Blind Pension from the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Persons may also qualify for the Blind Welfare Allowance if they can provide certification of their level of vision (see below) and if they:
• Meet the income threshold
• Get an income maintenance payment from the DSP, or an equivalent social security payment from another country
Certification of level of vision
If an applicant does not get the Blind Pension they will need one of the following items to show the HSE your level of vision to qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance:
• A certificate of visual impairment from an ophthalmic surgeon/physician
or
• A letter from Vision Ireland confirming best vision equal to or less than 6/60 in the better eye or if the field of vision is limited, the widest diameter of vision subtending an angle of not greater than 20 degrees
I can again confirm the department has no intentions to change the process to certify the level of vision for those applying to the Blind Welfare Allowance.
