John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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612. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will be approved; if supplementary welfare will be approved while they are waiting; and if there is an arrangement with the Australian authorities for the person to benefit from their seven years work in Australia. [47890/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Illness Benefit (IB) is payable to persons who cannot work because they are sick or ill, provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

Social insurance contributions that a person may have paid in Australia are not reckonable for the payment of IB.  

Unfortunately, my Department appears to have no record of receiving an application for IB from the person concerned.

Any person who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive a payment.  People in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.