Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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586. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17938/18]

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 2018, the governing PRSI contribution year is 2016.

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 €198.00. A graduated rate applies where the average weekly earnings are less than €300.

The person concerned made a claim for illness benefit which was registered in my Department on 22 January 2018. Based on their earnings in the governing year 2016, the person concerned qualified for a graduated rate of illness benefit of €127.80.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance is payable where a person’s means are insufficient to meet their needs. Application may be made to the Community Welfare Services at the local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.