Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
804. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons that are unable to work due to being high risk and are on an illness benefit payment cannot qualify for the higher rate of illness benefit of €350; and my attention has been drawn to the fact that an applicant can qualify for the higher rate of €350 for only two weeks before the payment reverts to the lower payment. [12788/20]
View answerUnder the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), the Government, having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of COVID-19, made exceptional provision in the public interest and to mitigate the effect of the spread of the disease to amend and extend the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with, or are a probable source of infection with COVID-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of COVID-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with COVID-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of COVID-19, that the person can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for two weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of COVID-19 and up to ten weeks where a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Certification by a registered medical professional is required to support any claim for the special COVID-19 Illness payment.
In recognition of the concerns raised by individuals and support groups in relation to those cocooning on health grounds, the Department introduced a policy change in May. Standard Illness Benefit payment may be payable subject to normal certification and eligibility criteria to a person with a serious health condition, where a medical practitioner completes a Certificate of Incapacity for Work. This may be paid for an extended period, depending on the person’s continued eligibility.
People who are considered high risk under the HSE guidelines in relation to COVID-19 are not entitled to the enhanced Illness Benefit payment for any period unless they have been diagnosed with or informed that they are a probable source of infection of COVID-19. Where a person has been diagnosed with, or is a probable source of, infection of Covid-19, a Certificate of Incapacity for Work is completed by a medical practitioner with a specified set of codes showing the medical condition. A person who is a probable risk of infection will receive the higher rate of payment for two weeks. By the end of that period, if they have been diagnosed with Covid-19, they will be entitled to receive the higher payment for a maximum of ten weeks. However, if they have not been diagnosed with Covid-19 they will no longer be entitled to the higher rate of payment. If they have a Certificate of Medical Incapacity after that time in respect of another condition they will receive the standard Illness Benefit payment.
The Return to Work Safely Protocol provides that if an at-risk or vulnerable worker cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, employers must make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. However, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
