Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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178. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is only entitled to a reduced social welfare payment; and if there has been a change in policy regarding a person in this position. [30908/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since January 1993 in accordance with the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Social Insurance Provisions), (No. 2) Regulations 1992, (S.I. 448 of 1992) the rate of Illness Benefit payable is dependent on the claimant’s earnings in the governing contribution year. Where the average weekly earnings are €300.00 or more the full rate is payable. Where the earnings are less than this amount a graduated rate is payable.

The person concerned claimed Illness Benefit from 5 June 2015 and, as his average weekly earnings in the 2013 governing contribution year were €208.00 weekly, he was paid Illness Benefit at the graduated rate of €121.40 weekly. He has since opted to become a dependant on his spouse’s Invalidity Pension, the dependent rate increase being €138.10 weekly.