Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she will make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8092/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Partial capacity benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person return to employment if they have reduced capacity for work, and to continue to receive a payment from my department.

A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a medical assessor who expresses an opinion on the degree of work capacity.

An application for PCB was received on 25 Sep 2015. The case was referred for a medical assessment on 01 Oct 2015. In this case it was found necessary for the person concerned to attend an in person medical assessment. This assessment was carried out on 16 February 2016. The medical assessor’s opinion was sent to the deciding officer (DO) on 25 Feb 2016.

The DO has decided based on all the information available that the person concerned has a moderately reduced capacity for work. This equates to an entitlement of 50% of the personalrate of Illness Benefit payable. The person concerned has been notified in writing of the decision and their right of appeal on 22 Apr 2016.

Arrears of PCB due in this case will issue in the coming week. My department apologises for the delay in processing this case.