Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) that is currently in receipt of illness benefit should apply for a disability allowance or an invalidity pension when her current benefit expires in September 2025, in view of the fact that her condition is terminal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 PRSI based payment for people with a serious illness or disability. Invalidity Pension is for those who are no longer capable of work and who satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions.

Disability Allowance is a long-term means tested payment for people with a disability that substantially restricts their capacity to work.

In the circumstances where the person is suffering from a terminal condition, they would be advised to apply for Invalidity Pension.

As Invalidity Pension and Illness Benefit have different medical and PRSI qualifying conditions, a person on Illness Benefit must make a separate application for Invalidity Pension. This is then 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.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.