Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1613. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the partial capacity benefit application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1040/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a Social Welfare scheme which allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment from my Department. An Illness Benefit customer who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a Medical Assessor who will review the restriction, if any, on their capacity for work. A person assessed with a moderate level of work incapacity will receive 50% of their current payment, a person assessed with a severe level will receive 75% of their payment and a person assessed with a profound level will get full payment.

The person concerned currently has a claim for Illness Benefit and has made an application for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). This application was received on 29 November 2017. The application has been referred to a Medical Assessor for an opinion on the level of work restriction. On receipt of this opinion a decision will be made on the case and the person concerned will be notified of the position. Every effort is being made to expedite the matter.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.