Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
193. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for illness allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32548/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit is a payment for persons who are incapable of work and who satisfy certain statutory pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. Claims made after January 2009 can only be paid for a maximum duration of two years (624 days) after which a further 13 contributions must be paid to re-qualify for payment.
The person concerned will exhaust their two year entitlement to illness benefit on 3 Dec 2016. Subsequent to that date there may be an entitlement to invalidity pension.
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. To qualify for IP claimants must, inter alia, have at least 260 (five years) paid reckonable PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. An invalidity pension form is in the course of issue to the person concerned and, on its return, the claim to that pension will be considered further and a decision will be made in the matter.
Meanwhile, if the person concerned is unable to meet their needs or the needs of their household, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance and should contact my Department’s community welfare services at their local Intreo centre.
