Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
139. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a social protection payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44157/15]
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 and related overlapping payment legislation.
Concurrent payment of illness benefit, at the full rate, to recipients of widows, widowers and surviving civil partners pensions and one-parent family (including deserted wives) payment has been discontinued with effect from 01/02/12. This applies to new claimants for illness benefit .
The person concerned is in receipt of widow’s pension since 21 Feb 1997 at the current maximum weekly rate of €193.50. The person concerned made an application for illness benefit from 10 Feb 2014 to 3 Mar 2015. If they chose to receive illness benefit they would only qualify for payment at the weekly personal rate of €188..00. Therefore it would not have been beneficial for the person concerned to claim illness benefit. The person concerned was notified of the position by letter dated 24 Feb 2014.
