Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of illness benefit claims awaiting assessment; and the steps being taken to resolve issues being encountered by applicants and those already in receipt of illness benefit that are experiencing regular issues with payment. [51513/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department receives approximately 1,000 Illness Benefit Claims each working day. The number of Illness Benefit claims pending decision on Monday 10th December 2018 was 954.

My Department has deployed additional staff both to process new Illness Benefit claims received and resolve issues being encountered by existing applicants.

I want to assure the deputy that my  department continues to focus on Illness Benefit and where  payment issues arise  applicants will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness as certified by their GP as quickly as possible . 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.