Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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986. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness benefit appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14624/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department received an application for Occupational Injury Benefit on the 24th December 2020. The person concerned was making an application for an illness arising out of an occupational accident that occurred on the 1st November 2016.

Occupational Injury Benefit claims are only payable in respect of periods of illness occurring within 26 weeks from the date of an occupational accident or the development of a prescribed occupational disease. The claim from the person concerned was disallowed as it was made outside of this 26 week period, and a decision letter issued to them on the 19th February 2021.

Following the disallowance of Occupational Injury Benefit, the person concerned was assessed for Illness Benefit. They have been awarded Illness Benefit (IB) from the 19th December 2020, the date from which they have provided medical evidence to support their claim. They have been awarded IB at a rate of €91.10 per week, and all arrears due to them have issued. An award letter issued to the person concerned dated the 15th March 2021 which gives them the details of this decision.

An appeal form for Occupational Injury Benefit and Illness Benefit was received on the 10th March 2021 and has been forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office to be registered.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.