Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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1217. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason women who are suffering illness due to and during pregnancy cannot receive illness benefit; if a benefit for women who suffer during this time can be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46144/17]

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) contributions 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.

Illness benefit is payable to pregnant women who meet the qualifying conditions and who are certified as unfit to work, by their doctor.

Health and Safety Benefit is a weekly payment for women who are granted Health and Safety leave by their employer if a risk to their health cannot be removed or alternative “risk-free” duties cannot be assigned while they are pregnant. To qualify, certain criteria and social insurance conditions must be met. Under the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, an employee is entitled to remuneration from her employer for the first 21 days of Health and Safety Leave and Health and Safety Benefit is payable for the remainder if the qualifying conditions are met.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.