Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1274. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36381/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Illness Benefit (IB) is a payment for persons who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. During the course of a claim a person can be referred for examination by one of my Department’s Medical Assessors to ensure that the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be satisfied.

In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, IB was disallowed from 27^thJune 2017 as it was held that it had not been proven that the person concerned was incapable of work.

The decision was appealed and, following a revised decision by the independent Appeals Office, the appeal has been allowed.

The person concerned was paid as a qualifying adult on their spouse’s IB claim during the period they appealed the disallowance of their claim.

All arrears due from 27^thJune 2017 to 15^thJuly 2017, when his entitlement to IB ended, were paid on 6^thJune 2018. However, arrears of €362.95 were withheld to offset the amount paid to him as a qualifying adult on his spouse’s IB claim.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing illness benefit payments; if she will clarify same with regard to the change in the processing system for sick certificates; the way in which this change was communicated to those in receipt of the payment and to general practitioners that are required to fill out the forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36382/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection 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 6th August.  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. The introduction of the new forms was discussed with the Irish Medical Organisation in advance.

The majority of certificates and claim forms being received each day by the Department are the new scannable versions and these claims are being paid without any delays.

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 has been causing delays to our processing times, my Department is doing everything possible to ensure that customers are paid as quickly as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.