Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who are still in receipt of the enhanced illness benefit to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24381/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In March 2020, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for people who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 or who had been identified as a potential source of infection with Covid-19.

The measures were designed to ensure that the people concerned were in a position to comply with medical advice to isolate, while at the same time having their income protected. The measures also helped limit and slow down the spread of the virus to reduce peaks in the numbers of cases which would cause extreme pressure on the health system.

People who meet the eligibility and medical criteria, are entitled to the Enhanced Illness Benefit payment of €350 a week, with increases for dependants if appropriate. There are no waiting days in respect of the Enhanced Illness Benefit payment.

In the case of people diagnosed with Covid-19 the enhanced payment is payable, subject to appropriate certification, for a maximum of 10 weeks.

The latest details available show that to date a total of 553,257 claims for Enhanced Illness Benefit have been paid with 2,151 claims currently in payment.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.