Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
903. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether considerations have been made to ease the eligibility criteria for partial capacity benefit to increase security for all cancer patients seeking to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17036/23]
View answerMy Department provides income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability, both social insurance and means tested schemes. There are a range of schemes available to people who make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for people who are deemed permanently incapable of work due to a long-term illness or disability. Eligibility is subject to a medical assessment and PRSI contribution conditionality.
Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness, and who have made the necessary PRSI contributions. Certification for the scheme is by the person’s treating physician, in most cases a General Practitioner.
Partial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State. People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work are eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.
The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild they will not qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit. The duration a person can be in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit is linked to the payment they moved from. For someone moving from Illness Benefit, the maximum duration is two years (less the 26 weeks required to be eligible). In the case of Invalidity Pension, a maximum duration of 156 weeks applies.
Partial Capacity Benefit has been designed so there are no restrictions or limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work.
My Department does not distinguish in relation to illnesses. Every application for the Departments schemes are individually assessed, based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
