AQW 4887/10

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 17/02/2010
Answered On Date: 04/03/2010
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many blind persons are dependent on a weekly allowance to enable them to pay someone to read their confidential correspondence; and for his assessment of this situation with respect to their right to privacy, independent living and the right to read.

Answer:

There are currently no people known to be dependent on a specific weekly allowance to enable them to pay someone to read their confidential correspondence. However, individuals in receipt of Direct Payments may choose to use this to appoint a personal assistant, who would assist with a number of tasks as per the individual’s assessed need, including the reading of confidential mail. Three people are known to use their Direct Payment in this way. Individuals may also apply for Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, but as it is the client's individual choice as to how they choose to spend this money, it is not possible to estimate how many use it in this way. In other instances, service users may ask a social worker, carer, family member or voluntary organisation involved with them to read their mail.