Illness Benefit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Ceisteanna (65, 66, 67)

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

65 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming illness benefit at the end of 2011, distinguishing those who have been claiming from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; six years and ten years; more than 10 years, and if she will distinguish those claimants who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28758/12]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

66 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who made a fresh claim for illness benefit in 2010, distinguishing those whose claim lasted from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; and six years and ten years; more than 10 years; and if she would distinguish those who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28759/12]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

68 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a difference in the incidence of illness benefit claims in different sectors of the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28761/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66 and 68 together.

Illness benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. A person may qualify for illness benefit if they are unable to work due to illness, satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) conditions, and are under age 66.

The tables below set out breakdowns of illness benefit claim durations (measured in claim paid days) as requested. It should be noted that in relation to claims made in 2010, figures are shown separately for ongoing (open) and completed (closed) claims.

Table 1 — IB Claims in Payment at 31st December 2011, by duration of claim

Duration	Number of Claims
1 to 2 days	371
3 to 6 days	486
1 week to 1 month	3,183
1 to 2 months	4,509
2 to 3 months	3,627
3 to 6 months	7,088
6 months to 1 year	9,802
1 to 2 years	11,999
2 to 5 years	13,389
5 to 10 years	12,868
Over 10 years	6,075
Total	73,397

Table 2A — IB Claims made in 2010, ongoing at 8th June 2012, by duration of claim

Duration	Number of Claims
1 to 2 days	0
3 to 6 days	0
1 week to 1 month	0
1 to 2 months	0
2 to 3 months	0
3 to 6 months	0
6 months to 1 year	0
1 to 2 years	5,678
2 to 5 years	164
5 to 10 years	0
Over 10 years	0
Total	5,842

Table 2B — IB Claims made in 2010, subsequently closed, by duration of claim

Duration	Number of Claims
1 to 2 days	25,572
3 to 6 days	67,654
1 week to 1 month	77,237
1 to 2 months	25,716
2 to 3 months	11,891
3 to 6 months	13,294
6 months to 1 year	9,413
1 to 2 years	6,307
2 to 5 years	76
Total	237,160

The Department does not maintain data on "sector of economy" of illness benefit claims. As a result, it is not possible to distinguish between claimants working in different sectors of the economy, including the public sector. Note 1: Illness benefit is not normally paid for the first 3 days of the claim. These days are known as waiting days. There are six claim paid days in a week as no payment is made for Sundays. Note 2: In general, in respect of illness benefit claims made from January 2009 onwards, payment is limited to a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days).