John McGuinness
Question:1059. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on categorising long Covid as a disability or an occupational injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42087/22]
View answerThursday, 8 September 2022
Questions (1059)
Written answers
My Department administers the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme. This is a group of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. The benefits under this scheme include: Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and the Medical Care Scheme.
Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and
(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.
I do not intend adding Covid-19 or people suffering long-term effects of Covid-19 to the list of prescribed diseases as they do not meet the criteria as laid down in the Act.
My Department provides a wide range of income supports for those who cannot work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is usually not contingent on the nature of the illness/disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Enhanced Illness Benefit, introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is payable for a maximum of 10 weeks to those who are eligible.
If a person continues to be ill with Covid-19 beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for a maximum of two years, based on continued eligibility. Illness Benefit is the primary income support for people who are unable to work due to illness of any type. Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.
If a person develops a condition or a disability that makes them unable to attend work permanently or for an extended period of time they might be eligible to apply for a long-term disability or incapacity payment.
Disability Allowance is a social assistance payment provided to those between 16-66 years of age who cannot work due a disability and who satisfy the residency condition. This is a means-tested payment.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and are covered by social insurance (PRSI).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.