Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
517. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an illness benefit payment will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9266/22]
View answerIllness Benefit is paid for a maximum of one year if a person has between 104 and 259 total reckonable PRSI contributions paid. It is paid for a maximum of 2 years if a person has over 260 total reckonable PRSI contributions.
The person concerned has been paid for a full year of Illness Benefit. Their entitlement to payment has exhausted as, according to the Department's records, he has 150 total reckonable PRSI contributions paid.
The person concerned has indicated that he worked in the UK for a number of years. My Department has requested the UK PRSI record of the person concerned to ascertain if he has further contributions which can be used to bring his total contributions up to 260 and qualify him for another year of Illness Benefit. Once his UK PRSI record has been received from the UK his claim will be reviewed.
If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties meeting his financial commitments he should contact the Department's representative, formerly known as a Community Welfare Officer, at his local Intreo Centre so that an assessment of his circumstances can be carried out to determine whether he might qualify for assistance under the terms of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
