Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2017
204. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when persons who are self-employed will be in a position to apply for an invalidity pension; if the contribution rule has been determined; her plans to provide the option of partial capacity benefit for self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47166/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed contributors will be eligible for the invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as self-employed people could have access to income support without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability. Details as to how to apply will be made public by my Department in the coming weeks.
Partial capacity benefit (PCB) is designed for people who have some capacity for work and who wish to return to the workforce. To participate on this scheme the applicant must be in receipt of either invalidity pension or illness benefit – illness benefit must be in payment for at least six months at the date of application for PCB (the six months rule does not apply to invalidity pension). Self-employed persons who are awarded an invalidity pension could potentially have access to this scheme in due course as a consequence of the extension of invalidity pension to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
