Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
236. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that people who are suffering from long Covid and can no longer work are not been financially supported by the Government; if this issue can be addressed with the Minister for Health to introduce a payment for those suffering from long Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54329/23]
View answerMy department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. These include contributory payments, based on PRSI contributions, such as Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension, and non-contributory payments, based on a means test, such as Disability Allowance.
Entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. It is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. Every application for the Department's schemes is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. Assessment is based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.
Illness Benefit is a short-term social insurance scheme. It is available for up to two years for people who have the required social insurance contributions. Their doctor must submit a Certificate of Incapacity to Work to the department.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance scheme. In order to qualify, the person must satisfy a habitual residency condition, a means test and meet the medical requirement. The medical requirement for Disability Allowance is that the person's disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and the disability must substantially restrict a person’s ability to work. Over 161,000 people were in receipt of Disability Allowance in September 2023.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance scheme paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Eligibility is based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. In order to qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work. Over 56,000 people were in receipt of Invalidity Pension in September 2023.
A Temporary Scheme of Paid Leave was developed by the Department of Health for certain public health sector employees who were unfit to work after a COVID-19 infection. This scheme has been extended until 31 March 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
