Michael Healy-Rae
Question:364. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a matter in relation to illness benefit will be examined (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46409/23]
View answerTuesday, 24 October 2023
Questions (364)
Written answers
The HSE currently recommends that when someone tests positive for Covid-19 that they stay at home for 5 days and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid-19.
Since 1 January 2023, employees have a right to 3 days sick pay a year under the statutory sick leave scheme. Under that scheme, sick pay may be paid by an employer at 70% of a person’s normal pay, up to a maximum of €110 a day for the first three days of an absence due to illness. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has policy responsibility for statutory sick pay.
Illness Benefit is the main short-term income support provided by this Department to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit is based on medical certification and social insurance contribution conditions made. It is paid from the Social Insurance Fund and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) paid under Classes A, E, H and P count towards Illness Benefit. In general, there are 3 waiting days before payment of Illness Benefit.
With regard to additional supports, this Department also provides Additional Needs Payments under the 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.