Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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140. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether sufficient measures are in place to ensure that workers in the private sector working in essential service jobs can self-isolate if required to do so without significant loss of earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1987/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1), the Government, having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of Covid-19, extended the Social Welfare Acts to provide for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with, or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.

The personal rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of COVID-19 is €350, which is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of Illness Benefit. Increases may also be made in respect of qualified adults and children.

The measures were designed to ensure that where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer diagnoses a person with COVID-19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection of COVID-19, the person concerned can comply with medical advice to isolate, while having their income protected.  This is essential to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, to keep the number of people affected to a minimum, and to reduce a peak of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.

The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment.  It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and for up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19.  Appropriate certification is required to support any claim for payment.  There are no waiting days in respect of the enhanced illness benefit payment.  Only a single PRSI contribution from employment in the previous 4 weeks is required, making the payment very accessible for all employees.

Where a medical practitioner advises a person to remain away from work because an underlying medical condition means they are unable to work safely, then the standard Illness Benefit payment may be made, subject to the conditions of the scheme being satisfied.

The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of COVID-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation or restricting their movements. 

 If people have additional expenses related to their illness or they are struggling financially, they can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is a means-tested payment.

 I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.