Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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699. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the payment of illness benefit can continue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42357/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Illness benefit is paid for a maximum of 2 years or 624 claim paid days.

The person concerned commenced claiming Illness Benefit from the 5th September 2019, and his entitlement to payment of Illness Benefit is due to exhaust on the 8th September 2021.  A letter issued to the person concerned on the 10th June 2021 advising him that his entitlement to the payment was due to exhaust and also providing details of other social welfare schemes he may be entitled to.

The person concerned may continue to provide medical certificates for the duration of the period in which he is unfit for work in order to receive PRSI credited contributions. 

If the person concerned is permanently incapable of work or will be unfit for work for at least one year, it is open to him to apply for the long term schemes Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.

Should the person concerned be in need of urgent financial assistance, it is open to him to contact the Community Welfare Service at his local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.