Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the regulations for the implementation of the partial capacity scheme will be published; when the scheme will be operable and if those working in the private sector who at present have an exemption under the current invalidity pension scheme will be granted an extension automatically to the term of the exemption until the partial capacity scheme is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11346/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The legislative basis which provides for the introduction of the Partial Capacity scheme is contained in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010, which was enacted by the Oireachtas in December 2010.

A programme of work is currently underway to cater for the new scheme. This includes the preparation of Regulations, as required by legislation, to cover, amongst other things, the medical protocols which will determine eligibility for the scheme as well as the rates of payment which will apply to those who apply to participate in the scheme; the development of the necessary medical criteria against which partial employment capacity will be assessed; and the development of the necessary processes and information technology systems to process, record and pay applicants.

Every effort is being made to complete these necessary steps as soon as possible in order to allow for the formal introduction of the scheme at the earliest possible date. At this stage, the intention is that the Regulations will be introduced in the Autumn of this year and that the scheme will be formally introduced before the end of the year. In the interim, persons in receipt of an exemption to undertake employment in the private sector under the current invalidity pension scheme will have the period of that exemption extended automatically.