Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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1268. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason payment of occupational injuries benefit to a person (details supplied) ceased; if same will now issue to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36320/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department has recently introduced a new claim form (called “IB1”) and a new medical certificate (called “MED1”) to replace the previous MC1 and MC2 forms for certification of the Department’s Illness and Injury Benefit schemes. This change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday 6^thAugust.  The Department’s intention in implementing this modernisation programme - including the changes to forms - is to improve the certification processes and to make claim and payment procedures more efficient for everyone involved – GPs, patients and the Department.

Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date. In order to facilitate the continued payment of Illness and Injury Benefit to our customers, the Department has, to date, continued to accept old MC1 and MC2 forms where provided by GPs. While the continued use of old forms is causing delays to our processing times, the Department is doing everything possible to ensure that customers are paid as quickly as possible. 

The person concerned made an Occupational Injury Benefit claim from 15/06/2018. Payment was issued up to 02/08/2018 on foot of MC2 medical certificates.

The payment delay occurred as a result of the use of the old forms, as opposed to the new MED1 certificates. However, all payments have now been issued and the claim is up to date.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.