Calls have been made to revive little-known social welfare payment, to which new applicants have not been allowed since 2024.
Almost 1,000 Irish citizens are still receiving the Diet Supplement, but no new applicants have been accepted in ten years. The supplement was intended to help those on medically mandated diets, such as gluten-free or sugar-free and a host of rarer alimentary issues.
A Green Party TD raised the issue of the closed scheme and the benefit it would bring to many more than the 998 currently registered from before the 2014 closure date.
Steven Matthews TD asked Minster for Social Protection Heather Humphreys if she would consider adding coeliac pensioners to the scheme, opening it back up for those in receipt of a state pension and suffering the common digestive ailment.
Minister for Social Protection Humphreys exaplained that the scheme was for those prescribed a special diet because of a "specified medical condition".
She explained the 2024 discontinuation: "It was discontinued for new applicants after a review of the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was commissioned by the Department during 2013.
"The research showed that the average costs across all the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme could be met from within one-third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment."
The going rate for an individual or lone parent in receipt of the payment is just shy of a third of what they'd pull on social welfare back in 2007, which clocked in at a €186 per week. So, the scheme would add around €62 weekly.
Minister Humphreys continued: "Recipients continue to receive the diet supplement at their existing rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change.
"This ensured that nobody was immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme."
While newcomers cannot avail of the diet supplement since its shut-off in 2014, those already on the scheme will continue the receipt of payment until further notice. There are no plans currently to amend or revoke the diet supplement payment.
If you've got a particular ailment, meet the requirements for Supplementary Welfare Allowance and clear a means test, you are entitled to this payment to help cover the cost of the medically mandated diet.
This extra bit of help requires a hospital specialist or need this special diet stamped by your medical condition. They should also be specific in the kind of diet required and how long the diet should be followed.
For anyone require a gluten-free life diet, your local GP can write the prescription for this financial helping hand.
The weekly cost of prescribed diets is set by the Department of Social Protection. These include:
Low-lactose, milk-free diet costing €65.43 Gluten-free diet costing €68.43 High-protein, high-calorie diet costing €71.43 Altered consistencies (liquidised) diet costing €74.93Join Galway Beo's top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
