Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider amending the eligibility criteria for illness benefit to cover workers under 25 years of age who do not have 104 weeks of PRSI contributions and who do not have contributions in the relevant tax year, to ensure access to a short-term illness payment when ill just after commencing employment for the first time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6101/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Illness benefit is the primary income support provided by this Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. Claimants must have a minimum of 104 social insurance contributions and must meet other conditions in relation to when these were paid and whether they are paid or credited contributions.

Given that Illness Benefit may be paid for up to two years, subject to the other scheme conditions being met, I consider the current contribution requirements to be proportionate and appropriate.

In circumstances where people are ill but do not qualify for illness benefit, my Department provides means tested supports under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. An additional needs payment is also available to people who have expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income.

My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, and in the context of contribution rates and the overall sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.