Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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324. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the consideration given to relapsing or recurring illnesses such as cystic fibrosis when assessing a persons capacity under the partial capacity benefit when it is possible that they may not be ill when assessed but may suffer a relapse at a later time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2286/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Partial capacity benefit is a social welfare scheme which allows a person with a reduced capacity to work to return to work or self-employment, and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection. To qualify for partial capacity benefit a person must be currently in receipt of either illness benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or invalidity pension. An applicant for partial capacity benefit may not commence employment until they have received written approval to do so from the Department of Social Protection.

Departmental Medical Assessors give a medical opinion on the medical eligibility requirements of the applied scheme. This opinion is given following careful evaluation of all submitted medical evidence at the time of the application, based on the Department’s evidence based medical protocols and guidelines.

In relation to partial capacity benefit a Medical Assessor not only assesses the extent of disability resulting from the certified cause of incapacity, but also the level of capacity, that is the reasonable functional ability within the remit of the illness.

In relation to partial capacity and cystic fibrosis which is a progressive condition, Medical Assessors would be inclined to assess with a knowledge of the natural progression and guarded prognosis of the illness. Not only would the functional capacity be deemed restrictive but also the duration of award in these cases would be longer i.e. the maximum of 3 years as per the scheme.