James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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802. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will examine a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12451/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The person concerned can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) if they wish to undertake some work. PCB extends the Illness Benefit (IB) and IP schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in some level of employment while continuing to need a level of income support from the State.

People in receipt of IP who wish to return to work are eligible for PCB if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition. Following a medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound, their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild, they will not qualify for PCB.

PCB can be paid for up to three years where the claimant has IP as their underlying scheme. There is no limit on the weekly hours that can be worked or on the amount of weekly earnings. The claimant can return to their original payment (IP in this case) if they find they are not able for the work or they cannot continue to work due to their medical condition after a period of time.

If the person in question wishes to return to employment but does not wish to claim PCB she must notify my Department of the start date of her employment so that the IP can be stopped from the appropriate date. If she finds she is unable to continue with the work within one year of her start date, she can return to IP without having to make a full application again.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.