Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
391. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who was on disability allowance for many years and who took up a position on a community employment scheme can now make an application for the partial capacity benefit after having worked for four weeks on the scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) 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 PCB if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.
The personal rate of payment of PCB 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 PCB. The duration a person can be in receipt of PCB 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.
Disability Allowance is not a qualifying payment for the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme. However, Disability Allowance has been designed to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When a person commences employment, an income disregard of €140 per week is applied. In addition, 50% of earnings between €140 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. There is no duration limit where a person continues to be in receipt of Disability Allowance payment while in employment / self-employment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
