Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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769. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrears of qualified adult allowance and qualified child allowance are due to a person (details supplied) in regard to an illness benefit claim; if so, when the arrears will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37774/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department experienced some delay following the introduction of a new system for Illness benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday 6 August. Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date which the Department has, to date, continued to accept in the interest of paying our customers However, the continued use of old forms by some GPs is causing significant delays to our processing times, as the old forms are not compatible with the new system, with each one requiring manual inputting into the Department's payment systems.

However the claim form for the person concerned is now processed and he is in receipt of their full entitlements under the Illness Benefit Scheme and any/all arrears owing to him has been paid.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.