Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1024. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to temporary extensions for those on social welfare payments other than the pandemic unemployment payment which are due to cease in view of the global crisis; and if a freeze on the cessation of illness payments will be considered in view of the Covid-19 crisis (details supplied). [8236/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department offers income supports through a range of social insurance benefits and means-tested social assistance payments.

Entitlement to social insurance benefits, such as Illness Benefit, is dependent on a person's Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution history.

Where a person does not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a social insurance benefit or reaches the end of their entitlement, they may qualify for further income support through a mean-tested social assistance payment.

Social assistance schemes are means-tested to ensure that resources are directed to those with the most financial need. A maximum rate is payable where a person has no or limited means, and tapering applies to the rate payable to those with modest or more substantial means, as there is an expectation that those with resources can at least partly contribute towards supporting themselves.

In the example outlined by the Deputy, a person may be in receipt of Illness Benefit for up to two years, depending on their PRSI contribution history. If a claimant remains unable to return to work after this period, other income supports may be available, depending on their circumstances:

- If they are likely to be permanently incapable of work and satisfy the PRSI conditions, they may qualify for Invalidity Pension;

- If they have a disability that is expected to last for a year or more, they may qualify for Disability Allowance;

- If they do not qualify for any other payments but remain in need of income support, they may qualify for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

In this way, an individual who has insufficient means, and whose entitlement to a social insurance payment has expired, can access income support through means tested payments

The Department regularly reviews its supports and payment schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any change to the current eligibility criteria would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.