Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
457. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if the €500 announced for invalidity recipients in budget 2023 applies to partial capacity payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion in one-off measures during the coming months to help individuals and families through this difficult period.
Provision of the once-off grant payment of €500, for persons in receipt of the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer’s Support Grant is in response to the particular challenges faced by these groups at this time.
The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme has been designed to allow persons in receipt of this payment to continue to receive a percentage of their previous payment (i.e. 50%, 75% or 100%) while in employment. The scheme has also been designed so there are no restrictions on the number of hours a person in receipt of the payment can work, and there are no restrictions on earnings / earnings limits. People who have moved on to Partial Capacity Benefit, from an Invalidity Pension payment, retain their Partial Capacity payment while in employment for three years (156 weeks).
As those in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit are in employment without any restriction on earnings, they will not be eligible for the €500 grant. However, they will be eligible for the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment later this month, and the Christmas Bonus in December. Those with children may also be eligible for the Double Payment of Child Benefit in November.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
