John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the decision not to continue paying illness benefit to a person (details supplied). [28114/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Illness Benefitis a payment forpersons who are unable to work and who satisfy certain statutory pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. Payment to persons with less than 260 paid contributions is limited to twelve months. The person concerned has a total of less than 260 paid contributions and received payment of illness benefit from 11 September 2015 to 8 September 2016. Entitlement to illness benefit has, therefore, ceased.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance is currently in payment at a reduced rate. As illness benefit entitlement has now ceased the person concerned can apply to have the weekly rate increased.

Disability Allowance is a means tested payment for persons with a disability which is expected to last for at least twelve months. The person concerned can make application for this payment to my department. A application form will issue to him.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.