Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012
323 Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a method established within her Department for streamlining representations on applications for exemptions being made on behalf of persons with disabilities in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7866/12]
View answerIn certain circumstances people who have been in receipt of illness benefit or invalidity pension were granted permission to engage in part-time work of a rehabilitative or therapeutic nature. This permission is known as an exemption. All applicants for an exemption have some form of a disability or medical condition and as such they would be considered on their own merits. Applications for exemptions are generally dealt with on a chronological basis but if a person had an urgent need for a decision the matter would be expedited.
Yesterday I launched a new scheme called partial capacity benefit. The scheme will provide an opportunity for people with medical conditions and assessed and deemed to have an employment capacity which is restricted when compared to the norm to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment. The introduction of the scheme seeks to respond to weaknesses in the current structure of the welfare system, which categorises people only as "fit to work" or "unfit to work". This does not reflect the reality for many existing welfare customers. The scheme will be open to people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months. Following the introduction of the new scheme exemptions for participation in part-time work will no longer be available. Participation in the partial capacity benefit scheme will be voluntary.
324 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that an existing community employment participant who also receives illness benefit will continue to receive both payments if his or her CE participation is extended for a third year. [7871/12]
View answerExisting CE participants who have their contracts renewed after the 16th January 2012 will retain their social welfare payment provided they are continuously employed on CE from that date. This provision is subject to the standard CE participation limits and a final cut-off date for double payments of December 2014. All CE participants will receive a single payment only from that date.
