Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

732. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to clarify if persons in receipt of illness benefit are entitled to any 'bonus payments' that may be issued from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47864/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Customers in receipt of Illness Benefit for at least one year are eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus and the January 2024 cost of living bonus.

All recipients of Illness Benefit will also get a €12 increase in their weekly rate of payment from January 2024.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

733. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payments which remain payable should the recipient relocate permanently outside the State. [47892/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The following payments can be retained when the recipient relocates permanently outside the State subject to continuing to satisfy all of the relevant scheme qualifying conditions.

• Guardians Contributory payment
• State Pension Contributory
• Disablement Benefit or Death Benefit (under the Occupational injury Benefit Scheme)
• Widows/Widowers or Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension
• Invalidity Pension, and
• Partial Capacity Benefit (where Invalidity Pension is the underlying scheme)

While Social Assistance payments are generally not payable to a person who takes up permanent residence outside the State, there are two exceptions provided for in legislation. These exceptions relate to State Pension Non-Contributory and Blind Pension and apply only where either scheme was paid to a person prior to relocating to Northern Ireland. Such payments may continue in payment for a period of up to 5 years or until an alternate payment is made by the appropriate authority in Northern Ireland, whichever occurs first.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.