Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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669. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports that exist for persons whose jobs are reopening as their workplaces reopen but that are medically vulnerable or need to cocoon and as a result, do not feel able to retake these jobs; and the appropriate payment, that is, the pandemic unemployment payment, illness benefit or other payment available in such circumstances. [10180/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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671. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the appropriate payment for persons that have been on the pandemic unemployment payment whose jobs are now available but in circumstances in which their medical consultant is recommending they cocoon for a further period due to an underlying health condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10194/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 635, 669 and 671 together.

The enhanced illness benefit payment is available where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer of health diagnoses a person with COVID 19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection. The payment is for a limited period and at a rate of €350 to ensure that the person can comply with medical advice to isolate.

Employees who cocoon without a medical certificate may approach their employer in relation to taking annual or other paid leave - this is at the discretion of the employer. Many employers can, and do, agree leave arrangements with staff who need to take short periods of time off. These include arrangements to enable employees to work remotely from home, to alter shift patterns, to work-up time taken, or to bring forward annual leave entitlements from future work periods. The government has encouraged employers to support workers with leave requests at this difficult time and those with underlying health conditions should be facilitated where possible.

Where an employee is unable to return to the workplace as they are medically vulnerable or they need to cocoon for longer on the advice of their medical practitioner as they may be more susceptible to contracting the COVID-19 virus they may apply for standard illness benefit which is paid at a maximum weekly personal rate of €203 and increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children. Illness benefit claims require medical certification of illness that a person is incapable of work.

Where it is not possible to make appropriate compassionate leave arrangements, employees can call on some statutory entitlements including supplementary welfare allowance.

I trust that this clarifies the position.