Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1060. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has conducted an analysis of the potential impact of long-Covid on those in receipt of jobseekers’ payments and other social protection payments as well as persons who are currently employed but who may need to take significant amounts of sick leave; if she will make such an analysis available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20553/22]
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. Against that background, analysis was not undertaken to investigate the impact of long-Covid on different cohorts of recipients of Department of Social Protection payments.
In March 2020, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19. At €350 per week, the rate of payment is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of illness benefit, for a limited period.
In a case where a person who contracted Covid-19 and was awarded enhanced Illness Benefit continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. 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 contributions. Illness Benefit is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.
If a person continues to be incapable of work after two years, they can apply for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for those who are permanently incapable of work. This payment is not means tested.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment for those who cannot work due to an illness or disability and who are not covered by social insurance.
If a person on Jobseeker's Allowance develops a long-term illness or disability, they can apply to transfer to Disability Allowance.
It is possible for a person on Jobseeker's Benefit who contracts Covid-19 to extend their time on a social insurance payment by transferring from Jobseeker’s Benefit to enhanced Illness Benefit. Enhanced Illness Benefit payment is payable if a person has been in employment or self-employment in the four- week period prior to being medically certified as either required to self-isolate as a possible source of infection or diagnosed with Covid-19 itself. If they continue to be ill, they can apply to transfer to standard Illness Benefit until their entitlement expires. They can then transfer back to their jobseeker payment if they are still eligible. If an individual on Jobseeker’s Benefit has not worked in the four weeks prior to contracting Covid-19, they can apply to transfer directly to standard Illness Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
