Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 838: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who are in receipt of disability benefit; if she will explain the application and testing process; the measures she has taken to reduce the risk of fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38214/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Illness Benefit (previously known as Disability Benefit) is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) conditions. As of 23 October 2009 the number of persons in receipt of Illness Benefit was 77,552. Illness Benefit claims are based on a first social welfare medical certificate and an application form (both included on an MC1 form). On receipt of a second and further medical certificates payment issues to the person. In general, certificates are submitted on a weekly basis until the person's doctor declares them fit for work and they submit a final medical certificate. People who remain ill over a long period may only be required to submit certificates at longer intervals.

From time to time cases are referred for review by Medical Assessors who are medical practitioners employed by the Department. The Medical Assessor expresses an opinion regarding the claimant's capacity for work. A Deciding Officer may, having reviewed all the facts of the case, decide whether to allow or disallow the claim. If a claimant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Deciding Officer she/he may appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Department carries out a number of other control activities including possible cases of concurrent working and claiming of Illness Benefit. These cases can come to light in a number of ways, including notification from Revenue of commencement of employment, overlaps of employment contributions and credits, discovery of employment by Social Welfare Inspectors and reports from members of the public. Cases of concurrent working and claiming, give rise to an overpayment and, if appropriate, are referred for prosecution.