Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

657. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an illness benefit payment will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43794/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit.  Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.

The person concerned was certified up until 14th October 2018. His next medical certificate was due on 15th October 2018 and when that is submitted, payment of IB will resume and all arrears due will be paid.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

658. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by persons who are receiving or applying for illness benefit; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that in some cases the illness benefit is arbitrarily reduced, paid intermittently and in some cases stopped entirely; if her attention has been further drawn to the perception that it is impossible to make contact with the relevant section of her Department; the action she plans to take in view of the fact persons in receipt of same are vulnerable, have paid the contributions and in many cases are solely dependent on this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43809/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 calls. In order to address this issue, the Department has deployed additional staff to manage customer calls.

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. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

659. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) who has not received an illness benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43811/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit (IB).  Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.

The person concerned is now certified and paid up until 17th October 2018. His next medical certificate was due on 18th October 2018 and when this is submitted,  his IB payments will resume.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

660. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payment will issue regarding an application by a person (details supplied) for illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43813/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit (IB).  Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.

The person concerned is now certified and paid up until 17th October 2018. Her next medical certificate was due on 18th October 2018 and once this is received, payments will resume.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

661. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payment will issue for an illness benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43817/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department recently moved to a new IT system for Illness Benefit (IB).  Arising from the changeover, some IB customers have experienced payment difficulties which the Department is working hard to resolve.

The IB claim for the person concerned is both certified and paid up until 18th October 2018. Her next medical certificate was due 19th October 2018 and when this is submitted, further payments will issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.