Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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427. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her Department's recommendation to people who are suffering a short-term illness or injury which prevents them from engaging in work but do not have adequate PRSI contributions to qualify for illness benefit; if there is a suitable payment that this cohort can apply for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42797/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In circumstances where people are ill on a short-term basis but do not qualify for the relevant social insurance schemes, 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.