The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for 26 weeks) to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment.
Following a medical assessment, if a person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous payment while in employment. Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so there are no restrictions/limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work.
Partial Capacity Benefit applications are decided as expeditiously as possible and currently there is no delay in processing.
I have asked my officials to examine the issue raised by the Deputy in the context of the legislation underpinning the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme.