Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
254 Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of illness benefit claims in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if she will distinguish those claimants who were working in the public sector in each of those years. [34410/12]
View answerIllness benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. A person may qualify for illness benefit if they are unable to work due to illness, satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) conditions and are under age 66.
The table below sets out the number of illness benefit claims processed in the years 2008-2011 inclusive and 2012 (to end June).
|
Year |
Number of Claims Processed |
|
2008 |
308,989 |
|
2009 |
312,468 |
|
2010 |
287,846 |
|
2011 |
298,644 |
|
2012* |
150,154 |
*Note that provided figures for 2012 are for the up to end June 2012.
The Department does not maintain data on "sector of economy" of illness benefit claims. As a result it is not possible to distinguish between claimants working in different sectors of the economy, including the public sector.
