Professor Tom Cooney:

I apologise. The scheme is referred to in the OECD report as an example of good practice. Basically, a person with a disability is assessed in terms of how many hours per week they can work and their capacity to work. Then, based on that assessment, the employer pays X percentage - we will say 50% - and the state pays the remainder. It is therefore a combination payment. The system also allows for self-employment. Depending on how much a company makes, the state supplements it to a certain level - let us call it a universal income - so the person is assured of a certain level of income, no matter what happens, whether he or she is self-employed or employed. That is basically the notion. Should the person need to step out of employment and then come back in, the scheme is flexible and allows for that movement in and out of the system due to ill-health or health issues. Those are the two great benefits to it: it guarantees a certain level of income and allows for flexibility regarding health issues. I will provide a copy of the report to the Chair. There is more detail in it.