Qualifying for illness benefit in Ireland based on UK contributions and some PRSI?

I am having an operation in November. Can I use my UK NI contributions up to end June 2025 and from April 2023 for illness benefit. I will be working in Ireland form July - so my last contribution will be in Ireland. The Social Welfare person I spoke to didn't know about the reciprocal agreement between UK and Ireland that permits this. Has this changed recently? Can I still expect to get State illness benefit when I am off sick from November.?

Anything useful here?

Thanks, Clubman. I looked at the link you gave above and I wasn't sure if it just covered long-term benefits from UK to Ireland, but I found this on the gov.ie website:

Payments Covered​

The Agreements cover the following Irish long-term payments:

• State Pension (Contributory)
• Invalidity Pension
• Widows/Widowers or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory)
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory)

The UK Agreement is an exception in this case, also providing cover in respect of the following short term benefits:

• Illness Benefit
• Maternity Benefit
• Jobseeker's Benefit
• Occupational Injuries Benefit