Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of illness benefit claims in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2010 and to date in 2012; if she will distinguish those claimants who were working in the public sector in each of those years. [34410/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 table below sets out the number of illness benefit claims processed in the years 2008 – 2011 inclusive and 2012 (to end June)

* Note that provided figures for 2012 are for the up to end June 2012.

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.