Michael Healy-Rae
Question:515. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9931/16]
View answerTuesday, 17 May 2016
Questions (515)
Written answers
Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person return to employment if they have a reduced capacity for work and to continue to receive a payment from my department. Applications for PCB are, in the first instance, assessed by a Medical Assessor who gives an opinion on the degree of capacity to work.
The deciding officer, having considered all the available information, decided that the person concerned has a moderately reduced capacity for work. The corresponding rate of PCB is 50% of the illness benefit which they were receiving. This is currently in payment.
A letter of appeal was received in my Department on 20 April 2016. The first step in the appeals process involves the claim papers being referred to a different medical assessor for review. The matter was referred for review on 12 May 2016.
On receipt of the medical assessor’s opinion, the matter will be considered further by the deciding officer. If it is decided that no change should be made in the level of capacity to work, the matter will then be referred to the independent Appeals Office for consideration.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.