Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
375. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason incapacity supplement is not a qualifying payment for partial capacity benefit; and if there are plans to extend the partial capacity benefit scheme to make it available to those in receipt of incapacity supplement. [46480/12]
View answerThe aim of the partial capacity benefit scheme is to address a limitation of the current welfare system by explicitly recognising and responding to the reality that some people with disabilities will have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need some income support from the State – the objective being to incentivise people to return to the workplace. Incapacity supplement is an increase to disablement pension, payable where a person, as a result of an occupational accident/disease, is considered to be permanently incapable of work and therefore does not have a capacity to engage in open market employment and be eligible for partial capacity benefit.
