Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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42. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she will process and pay an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability benefit scheme and the illness benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9190/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Illness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was received in my department on 8 Apr 2016. The person concerned is qualified for a graduated rate of illness benefit of 147.30 based on their earnings in the governing contribution year (2014).

The person concerned stated on their application that their spouse/partner is in receipt of jobseekers allowance. It was necessary to ascertain if a qualified adult increase was paid in respect of the person concerned before payment of illness benefit could commence.

Following a review of the case and the full entitlement due to the household, my department contacted the person concerned on 29 Apr 2016 and advised that it would be more financially beneficial to the household if the person concerned remained as a qualified adult dependent on their spouse/partner’s Jobseeker claim. The person concerned has confirmed that they wish to remain as a qualified adult dependent on their spouse/partner’s Jobseekers claim.

The household unit will receive the maximum amount payable taking account of their particular circumstances.

The person concerned should continue to submit weekly medical certificates for the award of credits while they are unfit for work, and submit a final medical certificate when they are fit

to resume employment.