Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
312. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reassess the criteria around the duration a person can be in receipt of partial capacity benefit, in the case of both someone moving from illness benefit and someone moving from an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5541/24]
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. 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.
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 that 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 3 years 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.
The Green Paper on Disability Reform addresses my department’s commitment under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on proposals to restructure long-term disability payments and to simplify the system. Any changes to existing income or employment supports will be considered within the context of the Green Paper.
I encourage all those with an interest in disability supports to express their views in our public consultation by making a submission in writing or by video. It is essential that we hear from as many disabled people and representatives as possible. I have extended the consultation period until 15 March 2024 to ensure everyone has adequate time to make a submission.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
