Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for further support in view of the fact that they only receive €224 per week; if they will qualify for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3919/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. For illness benefit claims made in 2017 the governing PRSI contribution year is 2015. The rate of payment depends onthe person’s level of earnings in the governing contribution year. Where the average weeklyearnings are €300 or more, the personal rate of payment is €193. A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.

The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit which was registered in my Department on 1 December 2017. Based on their earnings in the governing year, 2015, the person concerned qualified for a graduated rate of illness benefit of €151.20. The person concerned was also due an increase of €83.00 in their payment in respect of their spouse/partner. Invalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. To qualify for IP a claimant must have at least 260 (5 years) paid reckonable PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.

The person concerned should complete an Invalidity Pension application form. Disability Allowance is a means tested payment for persons who have a disability which is expected to last for at least twelve months. The person concerned has made an application for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. Any person who is in receipt of a reduced rate illness benefit payment and where their income is insufficient to meet their needs, may be eligible for a top-up under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. The person concerned will be notified when a decision has been made on this matter.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.