Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the partial capacity benefit to those in receipt of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11700/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The partial capacity benefit scheme was formally launched on Monday 13th February 2012. Full details of the scheme have been published on the Department's website and an information leaflet has also been published. The introduction of the partial capacity benefit scheme marks an important and positive development of the social welfare system. The scheme recognises that the welfare system, which categorised people as 'fit to work' or 'unfit to work', did not reflect the reality for many existing welfare customers and, in particular, for claimants of long-term social insurance based illness and disability payments. The scheme provides an opportunity for such people with disabilities, and assessed to have an employment capacity which is restricted when compared to the norm, to avail of employment opportunities while continuing to receive an income support payment.

The partial capacity benefit scheme is open to people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months. As these qualifying payments are based on social insurance contributions, they are not subject to a means-test. The means-tested disability allowance scheme, on the other hand, already contains provisions which facilitate people to engage in employment. Where a person in receipt of disability allowance takes up employment, the first €120 of weekly earnings is disregarded in the means-test and earnings above that threshold are assessed at 50% for the purpose of establishing means.

In light of these arrangements, it is not considered that it would be appropriate or necessary to extend the provisions of the partial capacity benefit scheme to the means-tested disability allowance scheme at this time.