Good news for blind people in Northern Ireland

Margaret Ritchie, Social Development Minister, has announced that the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance will be increased for blind people here.

The Minister had raised this with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell when she met with him in Whitehall, stressing the case for additional help in relation to blind people's mobility.

The Minister has welcomed the amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill currently going through Parliament, which will allow those with severe sight impairment to have access to the higher rate mobility component. Subject to Executive approval, corresponding legislation will be brought before the Assembly which will help over 2,000 visually impaired people with additional mobility costs.

The Minister said: “It has been a matter of concern for me and indeed other public representatives, that members of our community with severe visual impairment were not eligible for the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. I personally raised this matter with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and I warmly welcome this move. I would also like to pay tribute to the campaign by the Royal National Institute of Blind People in support of this change and I look forward to introducing this measure in the Assembly.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit aimed at severely disabled people who need help with personal care and/or getting around and provides a contribution towards some of the extra costs faced by them as a result of their disabilities.
2. Entitlement to the mobility component of DLA depends on the nature and extent of walking difficulties that result from disability. The higher rate is for people who are physically unable to walk or virtually unable to walk. The lower rate is available to people who can walk but who need guidance or supervision from another person when walking out of doors on unfamiliar routes.
3. The higher rate mobility component is currently £46.75 per week and the lower rate is £17.75.
4. In keeping with the long-standing principle of parity between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the field of social security, it is anticipated that the extension of the higher rate mobility component of DLA for people with severe visual impairment will be introduced in Northern Ireland at the same time as in Great Britain (April 2011).
5. For further news media information contact the DSD Press Office tel. 028 9082 9497. Out-of-office hours the Executive Information Service Duty Press Officer on 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.