Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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568. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting time for partial capacity benefit claims to be decided; if steps can be taken to improve the decision time in view of the reportedly long 12 week backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10830/19]

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

If the person has been getting Illness Benefit (for a minimum of six months) or Invalidity Pension and wishes to return to work, they may qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is restricted due to a medical condition.

People qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit if their restriction on capacity for work is assessed as moderate, severe, or profound.

The current average time for eligibility to be decided is 12 weeks which includes a medical assessment on the person's restriction on capacity for work. My Department continues to review the length of time taken to process all its schemes with a view to reducing PCB processing times.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.