Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
421. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the details on the training, upskilling and reskilling available for those on invalidity payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31539/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness. Illness Benefit is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness. To qualify for an award of either payment, a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions.
Given the requirement to be permanently incapable of work or to be unable to work due to illness, there are no training, upskilling or reskilling supports available to people on these payments.
Where a person in receipt of Invalidity Pension or in receipt of Illness Benefit for more than six months wishes to return to work, they may apply for Partial Capacity Benefit. The payment of Partial Capacity Benefit recognises that some people with disabilities have the capacity to engage in employment while still needing some income support from the State. The objective of the scheme is to support such people to return to the workplace without fear of loss of their disability-related social welfare benefits.
If awarded, Partial Capacity Benefit will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a payment set at a rate equal to a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment, depending on the severity of the disability. If a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their previous payment, respectively.
It is important to note in relation to Partial Capacity Benefit that:
- There is no requirement that a person must undertake work that is of a ‘rehabilitative or therapeutic’ nature.
- It is voluntary.
- There is no restriction on the number of hours worked.
- There is no restriction on earnings.
- A person receiving Partial Capacity Benefit may return to Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.
- A person with an underlying entitlement to Invalidity Pension will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years while in employment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
