Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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785. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in respect of illness benefit that have been submitted; the number of those which have been granted; the number which have been refused in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33090/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The following is the information requested in respect of the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.

Illness Benefit is payable to customers who are medically certified as unfit for work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. To qualify for payment of Illness Benefit a person must satisfy the following twomain conditions:

- Have at least 104 weeks of PRSI contributions paid since they first started work

and either

- 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions.

For claims made in 2017 the relevant tax year is 2015.

Customers are given every opportunity to supply additional information to the Department should they not meet those conditions.

Customers are also advised that if they are unable to meet their needs or the needs of their household, they may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance and should contact my Department’s community welfare services at their local Intreo centre.