Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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505. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce a payment, similar to that of the pandemic unemployment payment, for individuals with monkeypox who are required to isolate for the duration of their illness, which typically lasts two to four weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51267/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness but on the extent to which a particular illness impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.

Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. It is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.

Illness Benefit is payable at a rate of €208 in respect of a range of infectious diseases, including Monkeypox, as well as other conditions such as long Covid or cancer. This approach is broadly in line with that being adopted in other international jurisdictions where specific Monkeypox-related payments have not been introduced.

While I note the position regarding the public health status of Monkeypox, I think it is important not to draw parallels with COVID-19, which involved society-wide infection risks, including high risks of workplace transmission, and the imposition of unprecedented restrictions.

My officials continue to monitor the evolving public health situation in consultation with the Department of Health.

Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, and in light of the evolving public health situation.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.