Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2016
127. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the terms and eligibility of the partial capacity benefit scheme and, in particular, to facilitate persons who wish to work some hours for therapeutic purposes when they are capable of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10899/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability and provides a wide range of income and employment-related supports.
The partial capacity benefit scheme (PCB), introduced in 2012, provides an opportunity for people, who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months, to take up employment and continue to receive an ongoing portion of their weekly social welfare payment, including any increase being paid in respect of a qualified adult or qualified children.
PCB replaced the previous exemption arrangements where people on illness benefit or invalidity pension, if they wished to continue to receive their social welfare payment, would have to seek permission from the Department to work part-time for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes.
