Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
478. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who was unable to work and was in receipt of illness benefit for over thirty years and was not advised to apply for a disability allowance or invalidity pension following numerous medical reviews over the years, and is now only in receipt of a reduced State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8537/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA change in the rules and regulations governing the Illness Benefit scheme in 2009 included the introduction of a limit on the period for which Illness Benefit can be paid. Subject to the level of relevant PRSI contributions paid, Illness Benefit is now only payable for a maximum period of 2 years. Where a person exhausts their entitlement to a payment of Illness Benefit and is expected to remain unfit to attend work for a further period of at least 12 months, they have the option of making an application for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
At the time of the change mentioned above, those who had been in receipt of Illness Benefit on a long-term basis were, as an exceptional measure, afforded the option, subject to continued appropriate certification, to remain on Illness Benefit on a continuous duration basis or to make an application for Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
Some people, including the person identified by the Deputy, opted to remain on Illness Benefit rather than applying for the potentially long-term payments of Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
The application made by this person for the contributory State Pension was unsuccessful as they did not satisfy the PRSI contributions for that scheme. They were subsequently awarded a non-contributory State Pension which is subject to a means test. Having taken account of the financial circumstances in this case the person was awarded a payment at a reduced rate.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
