Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2022
263. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if the position regarding persons claiming illness benefit not getting the Christmas bonus will be reconsidered, given that the recipients of illness benefit are struggling on this low income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55967/22]
View answerIn the vast majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment. This means there is a constant daily churn in terms of Illness Benefit recipients as people take time off/return to work. In addition, in many cases Illness Benefit is paid directly to the employer where sick pay is paid. Most recipients of Illness Benefit still have an attachment to the labour force and there is an expectation that they will return to work.
Long-term Illness Benefit recipients who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria and social insurance contributions). Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for additional benefits including free travel and the household benefits package.
For these reasons Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus. I do not propose to change the qualifying conditions for this bonus.
My Department also provides Additional Needs Payment under our Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
Illness Benefit recipients will benefit from the €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of this payment from January 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
