Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
707. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current illness benefit rate, in light of concerns that the existing payment is extremely difficult to manage during periods of illness; if he will consider introducing a higher rate for individuals with long and continuous work histories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14356/26]
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.
Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI classes A, E, H or P to qualify. As of January 2026, there were approximately 52,500 people in receipt of Illness Benefit.
The rate of payment is dependent on an individual’s average weekly earnings. The maximum rate of Illness Benefit is payable where the customer satisfies the contribution conditions and has average weekly reckonable earnings equal to or greater than a prescribed amount, currently €300, in the relevant tax year. Where the customer's average weekly earnings are less than the prescribed amount, a reduced rate is payable which is determined by reference to the appropriate earnings band. As of 1st January 2026, the maximum personal rate of Illness Benefit is €254 per week.
Increases on Illness Benefit are payable in respect of a Qualified Adult and in respect of a qualified child, called Child Support Payment, if their child meets certain conditions. In certain circumstances a person may only get a half-rate Child Support Payment.
Increases to rates are determined on an annual basis as part of the budgetary process. Every year my Department carries out a range of social impact assessments on the welfare measures contained in the Budget, using The Economic and Social Research Institute’s SWITCH tax-benefit microsimulation model.
A key feature of the social insurance system is the requirement to maintain a balance between coverage for various contingencies, such as Illness Benefit, with the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. Given that Illness Benefit may be paid for a maximum duration of two years, subject to the other scheme conditions being met, the current contribution requirements and graduation of payment rates are considered to be proportionate and appropriate.
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.
With regard to additional supports, my Department also provides an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
It's also important to note that workers have an entitlement to five statutory sick leave days in a year. Under the scheme, sick pay may be paid by an employer at 70% of a person’s normal pay, up to a maximum of €110 a day. Employers may operate sick leave schemes which are, on the whole, more favourable to the employee than what would be provided in terms of statutory sick leave. The legislation provides that these schemes are in replacement of and not in addition to statutory sick leave. Statutory sick leave is under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, trade and Employment.
My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives. Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context, taking account of social insurance contribution rates and the overall sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
