Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
203. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for persons self-isolating or awaiting results from a Covid-19 test and have to miss work as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), and subsequent regulations, the Government, having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of COVID-19, amended and extended the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are a probable source of infection with COVID-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of COVID-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with COVID-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of COVID-19, the person can comply with medical advice to isolate while having their income protected. This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of COVID-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19. It is due to end on 31 March 2021. People who are awaiting results from a COVID-19 test who meet the medical and eligibility criteria for the enhanced Illness Benefit are entitled to it until they receive a negative test result or, in the case of those diagnosed with the illness, for up to 10 weeks, depending on ongoing medical certification of incapacity for work.
People who are considered high risk under the HSE guidelines in relation to COVID-19 are not entitled to the enhanced Illness Benefit payment for any period unless they have been diagnosed with or informed that they are a probable source of infection of COVID-19. Standard Illness Benefit payment may be payable subject to normal certification and eligibility criteria, where a medical practitioner provides a certificate of incapacity stating that a person is incapable of work due to the medical condition. Standard illness benefit is paid at a maximum weekly personal rate of €203. Increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children. This may be paid for an extended period, depending on the person’s continued eligibility. Standard illness benefit is the primary statutory income support payment for insured contributors who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type, apart from the short-term payment in respect of COVID-19.
Employees who self-isolate without a medical certificate may approach their employer in relation to taking annual or other paid leave - this is at the discretion of the employer. Many employers can, and do, agree leave arrangements with staff who need to take short periods of time off. These include arrangements to enable employees to work remotely from home, to work-up time taken, or to bring forward annual leave entitlements from future work periods. The government has encouraged employers to support workers with leave requests at this difficult time and those with underlying health conditions should be facilitated where possible.
The Return to Work Safely Protocol provides that if an at-risk or vulnerable worker cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, employers must make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. However, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible.
In general, if people have additional expenses related to their illness or they are struggling financially, they can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means-tested payment.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
