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Illness Benefit Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018

Wednesday, 24 October 2018

Questions (307)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

307. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the remainder of an illness benefit payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44044/18]

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Written answers

My Department recently moved to a new IT system and this has impacted on payments to some Illness Benefit (IB) customers. The transition has involved moving from a payment in arrears system to a real-time system for IB. 

The Department acknowledges that this move has caused difficulties for some customers leading to a large volume of calls to its helpline and long delays in responding to calls. In order to address this issue, the Department has deployed additional staff to manage customer calls.

I want to assure the Deputy that all IB customers will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness - as certified by their GP.  Any customer who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.

My Department is working hard to resolve these payment issues as quickly as possible. 

The IB claim for the person concerned was certified and paid up until 10th October 2018. His next medical certificate was due on 11th October 2018 and when that is submitted, IB payments will resume.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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