Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding their application for illness benefit. [6219/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A claim for illness benefit from the person concerned was registered on 16 March 2011. The records of the Department show that he has no social insurance contributions paid or credited since 2001. He indicated on his illness benefit application form that he has been self-employed since 2002. Any PRSI contributions payable for this period would be class S contributions which are not reckonable for illness benefit purposes.

A formal decision will be issued shortly notifying him that based on his contribution record, he does not qualify for payment of illness benefit nor has he an entitlement to receive credited contributions in respect of any medical evidence of incapacity for work submitted in respect of this illness benefit claim. He will also be advised that, if his means are not sufficient to meet his needs or the needs of his household, he may wish to consider applying for supplementary welfare allowance.

If the person's medical condition is expected to last for at least one year he may wish to consider applying for disability allowance which is subject to a means test. The person's medical condition must be such that he is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of similar age, experience and qualifications. Further information is available from the Department's website www.welfare.ie and from any Citizens information Centre or Local Office of the Department.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision regarding an application for illness benefit will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6222/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A decision has been made in this case. The person has been awarded illness benefit for the period 28 February 2011 to 18 March 2011 and payment is being issued by electronic fund transfer to her account with a due date of 31 March 2011. Further payments of illness benefit may issue on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity for work in the period since 18 March 2011.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not entitled to receive illness benefit. [6223/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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One of the qualifying conditions for illness benefit is that a person must have at least 104 reckonable social insurance contributions paid since the date of entry into insurable employment. The records of the Department indicate that the person concerned has a total of 78 contributions paid to the end of the 2009 contribution year. Based on that record, he does not qualify for payment of illness benefit. He has been asked to provide full details of his employment and PRSI contributions paid in 2010. Following receipt of this information his case will be reviewed. Furthermore, his case is also being examined to see if he qualifies for occupational injury benefit. If so, he will be notified accordingly.