John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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592. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for illness benefit and separately supplementary welfare allowance in the name of a person (details supplied). [65258/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received an application for Illness Benefit from Mr. Crowley on the 15th of March 2024. He was awarded Illness Benefit from the 6th of March 2024. His claim remains open for payments and credits. Prior to this claim, he had carried 69 days from a previous Illness Benefit claim. Illness Benefit is only payable for a maximum duration of two years (624 days). A letter was sent out to Mr. Crowley on the 17th of September 2025. This informed him that his payment of Illness Benefit is due to expire on the 16th of December 2025.

The above-mentioned letter also stated that while he remains incapable of work, Mr. Crowley should continue to submit medical certificates. This would ensure that his social insurance record is kept up to date and may help him to qualify for future social welfare benefits in future.

The letter of 17th of September 2025 also outlined that Mr. Crowley may re-qualify for payment of Illness Benefit in the future. It stated that in order to do so, Mr. Crowley would have to satisfy the qualifying conditions of Illness Benefit and have a further 13 contributions paid at an appropriate PRSI class after 16th of December 2025.

Mr. Crowley was also advised in the above mentioned letter that there are a number of possible social welfare schemes for which he might qualify depending on his circumstances. These included:

• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit