Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when outstanding sick benefit and or disability allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2205/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers 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.

The person concerned submitted an Illness Benefit claim from 3rd September 2018 to the 13th October 2018. He was advised by letter dated 17th September 2018 that he was not entitled to payment of Illness Benefit as he does not satisfy both of the contribution conditions.

In order to qualify for Illness Benefit payment a person must have

1. A minimum of 104 PRSI contributions paid

2. 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, Or26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins.

The person concerned had a total of 84 PRSI contributions paid with 34 contributions paid in the relevant tax year, resulting in him not qualify for payment. The customer has been awarded 'credits' for the period.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.