Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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190. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is in receipt of the correct illness benefit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Illness benefit is a payment for persons who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The rate of payment depends on the person’s level of earnings in the governing PRSI contribution year. For illness benefit claims made in 2017 the governing contribution year is 2015. Where the average weekly earnings are €300 or more, the personal rate of payment is €193 weekly (€188 prior to 13 March 2017). A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.

The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was received in my Department on 23 February 2017. The person concerned qualifies for a graduated rate of illness benefit of €151.20 weekly (€147.30 prior to 13 March) based on their earnings in the governing year 2015. Payment has been made to the date of the latest evidence of work incapacity received.

It is noted that the spouse/partner of the person concerned is working on a Community Employment scheme. Further enquiries are therefore being made to ascertain if the level of payment of illness benefit should include increases in respect of a dependent spouse/partner and children. When these are completed the claim will be reviewed and the person concerned will be notified of the position.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.