NCBI has today called on Independents and Fianna Fáil backbenchers to support the proposed amendments by Michael Ring TD to protect the Blind Pension in today’s Social Welfare Bill vote.

NCBI Chief Executive Des Kenny said the numbers of people availing of the Blind Persons Pension stands at 1,472 stating, “These are manageable figures with an annual cost to the State of just €600,000. This is a drop in the ocean of the six billion cuts we have endured in Budget 2011.”

Mr Kenny stated that of those currently using NCBI services, only 10% are in receipt of the Blind Persons Pension. The remaining 90% have varying degrees of vision impairments which are not so severe as to categorise them as being totally blind.

Mr Kenny continued,“The Blind Pension was targeted for reduction in this Budget while the State Pension was protected, both are vulnerable groups and that is why we feel that both should be treated equally and given the same protection against cuts.”

“The Blind Pension is the old age non-contributory pension paid at an earlier age to blind persons. It clearly should have been part of the pensions protection announced in budget. We are delighted to see that Fine Gael’s Michael Ring is addressing this anomaly through the introduction of an amendment before the Bill is passed.”

Mr Kenny concluded, “I would urge both Independents and Fianna Fáil backbenchers to support this amendment which is critical in protecting this vulnerable group.”