Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013
94. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claimants of incapacity benefit whose main reason is alcoholism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48516/13]
View answerIllness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. Incapacity codes are recorded on claims during the claim registration process. As of 8 November 2013, 124 claims out of a total of 59,696 claims awarded and in payment have an incapacity code recorded as alcoholism. This equates to 0.21% of the total claimload.
