Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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276. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of the partial capacity benefit review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30246/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a payment which allows a person, who may not have full capacity for work, return to employment and 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 will assess the restriction on their capacity for work. A person assessed with a moderate level of work incapacity will receive 50% of their payment by way of PCB; a person assessed with a severe level will get 75% and a person assessed with a profound level will get their full payment.

The person concerned is in receipt of 50% of payment by way of PCB, the level of work incapacity having been assessed as moderate by a Medical Assessor. An appeal of the assessment was requested in January but, due to work pressures, it was not referred to another Medical Assessor until May. The opinion of the latter is that the level of work incapacity is also moderate. The case will, therefore, be referred to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.

Every effort is being made to expedite the claim and my Department regrets the delay in processing the matter.