Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
647. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of illness benefit is allowed to withdraw savings from their business account to their personal account to pay for long-term illness without this having an impact on their of social welfare receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71822/25]
View answerIllness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Illness benefit is a contributory scheme and, therefore, eligibility is not determined on a means tested basis. Eligibility depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. The person must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI class A, E, H or P to qualify. The person must be certified as medically incapable of work by a GP.i
Social welfare legislation provides that a person in receipt of or entitled to illness benefit shall not engage in work. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, the individual should provide the circumstances of such activity to the Department so that they receive the appropriate guidance on the matter.
Subject to the level of relevant PRSI contributions paid, illness benefit is only payable for a maximum period of two years. Where a person exhausts their entitlement to payment of illness benefit and is expected to remain unfit to attend work for a further period of at least 12 months, they have the option of making an application for invalidity pension, which is another social insurance scheme paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Eligibility is based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or they must be permanently incapable of work.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
