Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a review of an application for partial capacity benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21648/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows claimants to return to work (if they have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from my Department. To qualify they need to be currently in receipt of either Illness Benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or Invalidity Pension.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, my Department received an application for PCB on 3 August 2017. However, they were not, at that point, in receipt of Illness Benefit (for six months). While they were previously in receipt of Illness Benefit, there was a break in their claim and a new claim was commenced from 28 July 2017.

I understand that the person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). When a determination is received from the SWAO the matter will be further considered.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.