Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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676. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if hours of work carried out under partial capacity benefit underlying the payment of invalidity pension can be used in conjunction with a spouse's hours of work to jointly meet the hours required for family income supplement entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42816/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows you to return to work or self-employment (if you have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection.

If you have been getting Illness Benefit (IB) for a minimum of 6 months or Invalidity Pension (INVP) and wish to return to work, you may qualify for PCB if your capacity for work is reduced by your medical condition.

You may not work until you have received written approval to do so from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. You should also get the approval of your doctor before taking up employment.

There is no restriction on earnings or number of hours you can work. You can work in a self-employed capacity while getting PCB. You cannot get PCB and Family Income Supplement (FIS) together.

Therefore, a couple applying for FIS in a joint capacity where the hours of work are combined and where one of the claimants is in receipt of PCB would not qualify for FIS.

However, FIS Section would advise if the couple were financially better off to claim FIS exclusively without PCB or if the claimant not in receipt of PCB were to increase their hours in order to qualify. In that case, PCB would be regarded as assessable income for FIS purposes and the usual assessment would apply.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy