Video – Labour axes medical diet supplement scheme for low-income earners

» Mark Moloney

'The Minister should have a heart. She should show some compassion for people who find themselves in dire financial straits while also living with these conditions

LABOUR PARTY Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has been criticised by Sinn Féin for "sneakily and callously" ending a scheme which provides a small welfare top-up for those on lower-incomes who medically require a specialist diet. These diets are usually far more expensive than an average healthy diet.

The Diet Supplement Scheme grants a small social welfare top-up to people who have specific dietary requirements such as coeliac disease, lactose intolerance or a diet medically prescribed by a doctor – including for those recovering from mouth or throat cancer.

Those currently availing of the scheme will not be affected but those who have applied since 1 February will not be eligible.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said:

"This is a quietly carried out attack on poor people living with conditions that can inflate the cost of their diets. It is an additional cost that can push people over the poverty line."

In the Dáil chamber, Aengus Ó Snodaigh highlighted how the cost of many gluten-free versions of basic foodstuffs (required by those with coeliac disease) such as pasta and bread is 50% to 500% higher – even in much larger supermarkets.

The Dublin South-Central TD also pointed out that the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Report commissioned by the Minister confirmed that a gluten-free diet can be 33% more expensive than a typical healthy diet and that the cost of a liquidised diet can be 26% more.

"The Minister should have a heart. She should show some compassion for people who find themselves in dire financial straits while also living with these conditions. She should reverse this callous decision and reopen the Diet Supplement Scheme," he said.