Illness Benefit Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Questions (330)

John McGuinness

Question:

330. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if invalidity benefit will be approved for a person (details supplied). [3989/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Illness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The rate of payment depends on the person’s level of earnings in the governing contribution year. If the average weekly earnings in that year are €300.00 or more weekly, the personal rate of €188.00 is payable. If the earnings are less than that, a graduated rate applies.

The person concerned claimed Illness Benefit from 2 December 2016 and it has been awarded at the graduated weekly rate of €84.50 having regard to the level of earnings in the 2014 governing contribution year. A top up payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme is also being paid.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.