Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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474. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will explain the process by which individuals on illness benefit can transition to invalidity payment; and if measures are in place to streamline this process for those dealing with serious illnesses, such as cancer. [29322/24]

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 classified as a short term scheme, and is paid for a maximum of one year if a person has between 104 and 260 total PRSI contributions paid since entering insurable employment, and a maximum of two years provided a person has least 260 total PRSI contributions paid.

Invalidity pension is a long term scheme for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. Invalidity Pension has different medical and PRSI contribution conditions necessary to qualify for this scheme and, as such, a person cannot be moved from Illness Benefit to Invalidity Pension without making an application and this being assessed by a Deciding Officer.

When a person has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for 468 payable days, they are medically assessed to review their continued entitlement to Illness Benefit and also to see if they may meet the medical criteria for Invalidity Pension. Following this assessment, they may be provided with an Invalidity Pension application form (INV 2).

However, it is open for a person on Illness Benefit to apply for Invalidity Pension at any time by submitting an application form (INV 1), which is available online or from a local Intreo office. A Deciding Officer will decide if they meet both the medical and PRSI conditions to receive Invalidity Pension.

If the Deputy wishes to provide the details of an individual case, I will ask my officials to examine the specific payment entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.