Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit payment applies to a person who is incapable of work by virtue of being certified by a registered medical practitioner as being a person -

(i) who is diagnosed with COVID-19, or

(ii) who is a probable source of infection of COVID-19 and is self-isolating - such persons will have either been certified by their Doctor or will have received the HSE text notification (i.e. where they are contact-traced or otherwise personally identified and advised by the HSE as being a probable source of infection).

A person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 and meets the conditions for payment is entitled to a maximum of 10 weeks enhanced IB. A person who is a probable source of infection of COVID 19 and is self-isolating is entitled to a maximum of 2 weeks enhanced Illness Benefit in respect of one claim. If the person has two 14-day contiguous periods where they are a probable source of infection, they must submit separate claims in relation to each of the two 14 day periods.

Persons who are self-isolating due to an underlying medical condition may qualify for regular Illness Benefit, provided they satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements and the have the required medical certification.

The person concerned received enhanced illness benefit for the maximum period of 4 weeks at a rate of €350 per week.

He is currently being paid regular illness benefit at a rate of €203 per week, and he has been paid fully up to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.