Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2021
126. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to provide dedicated supports and expand illness benefit for persons experiencing illness as a result of menopausal symptoms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57886/21]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. My Department spent a total of €4.7 billion on illness, disability and caring payments in 2020.
These supports include Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, and Partial Capacity Benefit.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Illness Benefit is payable for up to two years, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are 'permanently incapable of work' because of illness or disability. This is also a social insurance payment and is dependent on the claimant’s PRSI contributions and medical conditions.
Partial Capacity Benefit is a scheme available for those on Illness Benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or Invalidity Pension who would like to take up paid employment but have restricted capacity to work. The capacity to work is assessed and people with moderate, severe, or profound capacity loss may qualify for this scheme. After receiving written approval from my Department, the person can take up work and earn any amount and work as many hours as they wish as an employee or in a self-employed capacity. Additional payments may be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
Disability Allowance is a social assistance payment and is not based on social insurance contributions. The person’s disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test. The assessment of means reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves, so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most. Where the circumstances of a person in receipt of Disability Allowance change and they have means in excess of the limits set down in legislation, the payment is discontinued.
As outlined in the Budget 2022 social welfare package, both social assistance and social insurance payment rates (with qualifying adult and children rates) will see an increase of €5 per week in 2022.
Apart from these income supports, my Department also provides means-tested supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who are ill but who do not qualify for Illness Benefit. The Department may also make an Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.
As a comprehensive set of income supports is in place for those experiencing illness and disability that impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work, I do not intend to introduce additional payments at this time. My Department will continue to monitor and review its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
