Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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612. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the significant delays experienced by persons dealing with the illness benefit section since a system changeover in 2018; if the recent changeover has impacted on waiting times; the average time persons are now waiting for decisions on claims; if under and overpayments have been recorded of the benefit; if contact between claimants and her Department have been impacted; her plans to remedy the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43197/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department recently moved to a new IT system and this has impacted on payments to some Illness Benefit (IB) customers. The transition has involved moving from a payment in arrears system to a real-time system for IB. 

The Department acknowledges that this move has caused difficulties for some customers leading to a large volume of calls to its helpline and long delays in responding to customer queries.  In order to address this issue, the Department has deployed additional staff to manage calls from customers and from Oireachtas members.

I want to assure the Deputy that all IB customers will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness - as certified by their GP.  Any customer who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.

My Department is working hard to resolve these payment issues as quickly as possible.  Where overpayments arise, the Department's normal debt recovery procedures will apply. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.