Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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604. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a delay of 11 weeks in payment of illness benefit for a person (details supplied). [41739/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Illness Benefit (IB) is a short-term scheme intended for persons who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is paid while the incapacitated person remains unable to work and continues to meet the conditions of the scheme. There is, however, a maximum payment period of two years after which payment will cease.

The person concerned made an application for IB which was received on 20 August 2018.

The Department experienced some delays in processing claims following the introduction of a new IB system in August last. However, the claim for the person concerned has now been approved and she is in receipt of her full entitlements and arrears owing to her were processed on October 10th.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.