Vol. 445 No. 6
167 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to amend the rules of behaviour which applied to claimants of disability benefit to permit them to obtain part time work where their disability has prevented them from continuing to work full time but which would permit some working hours. [208/94]
A person is entitled to disability benefit if they are certified as incapable of their normal occupation and if they satisfy the relevant contribution conditions. If, in time, it becomes clear that there is no reasonable prospect of the person resuming their normal occupation, it is recognised that the person may be capable of performing other remunerative work while still able to qualify for disability benefit.
Such work might constitute part of the treatment while in hospital or care. By its nature it would be part-time and would be part of a rehabilitative or occupational therapy programme or an approved training course. Such work would be expected to prepare the person for another job as they are not able to perform their usual work. To recognise such work and still qualify for disability benefit, a person may apply to my Department providing medical certification from a GP confirming that participation is recommended.
In line with my pro-active approach to enable unemployed people and those suffering from disability to gain a foothold in the workplace, I announced in response to a parliamentary question on 28 June last that I am having these "rules of behaviour" procedures reviewed to ensure that they reflect developments in rehabilitative and therapeutic practice and the Deputy's question will receive further consideration in this context.
