Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming illness benefit at the end of 2011, distinguishing those who have been claiming from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; six years and ten years; more than 10 years, and if she will distinguish those claimants who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28758/12]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who made a fresh claim for illness benefit in 2010, distinguishing those whose claim lasted from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; and six years and ten years; more than 10 years; and if she would distinguish those who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28759/12]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a difference in the incidence of illness benefit claims in different sectors of the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28761/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66 and 68 together.

Illness benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. A person may qualify for illness benefit if they are unable to work due to illness, satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) conditions, and are under age 66.

The tables below set out breakdowns of illness benefit claim durations (measured in claim paid days) as requested. It should be noted that in relation to claims made in 2010, figures are shown separately for ongoing (open) and completed (closed) claims.

Table 1 - IB Claims in Payment at 31st December 2011, by duration of claim

Table 2a - IB Claims made in 2010, ongoing at 8th June 2012, by duration of claim

Table 2b - IB Claims made in 2010, subsequently closed, by duration of claim

The Department does not maintain data on "sector of economy" of illness benefit claims. As a result, it is not possible to distinguish between claimants working in different sectors of the economy, including the public sector. Note 1: Illness benefit is not normally paid for the first 3 days of the claim. These days are known as waiting days. There are six claim paid days in a week as no payment is made for Sundays. Note 2 : In general, in respect of illness benefit claims made from January 2009 onwards, payment is limited to a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days).