Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2006
169 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the mechanisms in place for a person who falls ill with a serious illness such as cancer but who does not have enough credits for full sickness benefit; the steps he has taken to protect these persons from financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37672/06]
View answerMy Department administers a number of illness and disability payments including illness benefit, invalidity pension and disability allowance.
In the first instance, entitlement to these payments is subject to the applicant satisfying the medical criteria which apply and which are prescribed in legislation. In addition, certain PRSI contribution conditions must be met in the case of illness benefit and invalidity pension, while a means test must be passed in the case of disability allowance.
Disability allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66 years. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both a medical examination and a means test. The means test involved is based on the persons own means and that of their spouse/partner. It is an alternative for people who have insufficient contributions to qualify for either illness benefit or invalidity pension as there are no contribution conditions.
If any person finds themselves in financial hardship they may have recourse to supplementary welfare allowance which is administered by the local health service executive on behalf of my Department. Full details of this allowance may be obtained from the Community Welfare Officers based at the person's local health centre.
The purpose of the SWA scheme is to ensure that every person in the State has a guaranteed minimum amount of income to meet his or her needs, and those of any dependants. This ensures that no person has to suffer hardship because of a lack of income to meet basic day to day needs. Entitlement is subject to a means test that takes into account the full household circumstances.
