Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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190. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance or other relevant payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37582/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since 2009 illness benefit is payable for a maximum of two years, i.e 624 days which are cumulative.

Regulations provide that, when calculating the number of days due, account has to be taken of earlier illness benefit claims - provided they link within six months.

The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit from 8 Sept 2015 and has received their full entitlement of 624 paid days.

In calculating the total number of paid days for the person concerned, account was taken of their previous illness benefit claims. These claims are linked claims, which were made by the person concerned between 2009 and 2015.

To re-qualify for illness benefit after expiry of 624 paid days the person concerned requires 13 contributions paid after the end of their illness benefit entitlement.

My Department will be in contact with the person concerned regarding PRSI contributions paid in 2015 which may be used to re-qualify them for a further period of illness benefit.

If the person concerned is unable to meet their needs or the needs of their household, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance. The person concerned may apply for supplementary welfare allowance to the Department's community welfare service at their local Intreo office or local health centre.