Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on extending eligibility for persons in receipt of disability or invalidity pension to enable those in receipt of such payments to participate in community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32555/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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People in receipt of Disability Allowance may work while in receipt of the allowance, however income earned is assessable as means. The first €120 of weekly earnings and 50% of earnings between €120 and €350 from employment or self-employment of a rehabilitative nature are disregarded in any means test. Any earnings in excess of this amount are assessed as income and entitlement to Disability Allowance reduced accordingly.

One of the conditions for receipt of Invalidity Pension is that a person will not undertake any work. However, a person may receive an exemption from this condition in order to retrain for alternative employment or for rehabilitative purposes. Exemptions are granted up to a maximum of 19.5 hours per week.

If a person on Invalidity Pension wishes to participate in a community employment scheme they should contact their FÁS Employment Services Officer regarding the availability of a place on a suitable scheme and if successful they should submit an application for an exemption to this Department through FÁS. Prior written permission from this Department outlining the commencement date and the duration of the exemption is required before commencing on a scheme.