Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17428/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on the 12th March 2025. Unfortunately, they did not qualify for payment of Illness Benefit as they did not satisfy the certification conditions.

In order to qualify for Illness Benefit, one of the requirements is that medical evidence in the form of Incapacity for Work certificate must be supplied with the application.

A letter issued on the 17th March 2025 to the address that was provided on the online application form. The letter explained that the claim cannot be processed as the Department received no medical evidence. The person concerned was advised to contact their GP for a Certificate of Incapacity for Work.

The claim was withdrawn on the 26th March 2025 as the person failed to reply to the Department.

In relation to November 2025, there is no Illness Benefit application on our system and no Illness Benefit claim is recorded for this period.

If the person concerned is in urgent need of financial assistance, it is open for them to contact the Community Welfare Officer in their local Intreo office to enquire about assistance under the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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201. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the financial supports are available for people on low income to pay for a reconnection of their electricity. [17460/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income, personal and/or household resources. The ANP scheme is demand led and administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS), taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

If a person is experiencing financial difficulties, it is open to them to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing necessary supporting documentation including relevant financial statements and confirmation of engagement with their electricity provider. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if a person has a verified MyGovID account, they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

Information on all my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.