Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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713. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47477/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Illness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance contribution conditions. Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of two years and is classified as a short-term scheme.

The Spring 2023 cost of living bonus was payable to people in receipt of certain long term social welfare payments. For customers in receipt of Illness Benefit, it was only payable if a person had been receiving this payment for at least one year. Time spent on other social welfare schemes such as Jobseeker's Allowance prior to a person claiming Illness Benefit did not count towards this entitlement.

The person concerned began claiming Illness Benefit from the 4th January 2023. They did not qualify for the Spring 2023 Cost of living bonus payment as they had not been in receipt of Illness Benefit for at least one year when the bonus was paid in the week commencing 24th April 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.