Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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943.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the guidelines for payment entitlements for a person (details attached); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34233/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The rules regarding work while receiving illness or disability related supports vary depending on the specific payment.

Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people aged 16 to 65 with a disability that substantially restricts their ability to work. DA recipients are encouraged to engage in employment or self-employment. There are no restrictions on weekly working hours for DA recipients. The scheme allows for income disregards: 100% of the first €165 earned per week is disregarded, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are disregarded, and any amount over €375 is assessed in full for the means test.

These provisions aim to support individuals with illnesses or disabilities in engaging with work to the extent they are able, while still providing necessary income support.

Illness Benefit (IB) is a short-term scheme for people who cannot work due to illness and meet certain social insurance contribution conditions. Generally, recipients cannot work while on IB. However, after claiming IB for at least 6 months, individuals may apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) to undertake some work, with no restrictions on the number of hours worked.

Invalidity Pension (IP) is for those permanently incapable of work due to illness or incapacity, provided they meet the required social insurance contributions. Like IB, recipients cannot work while on IP, but they can apply for PCB if they wish to work.

PCB is designed to allow IB and IP recipients to engage in some level of employment while still receiving income support. Eligibility depends on a medical assessment of the individual's capacity for work. If assessed as having a moderate, severe, or profound disability, the payment continues at 50%, 75%, or 100% of the existing rate, respectively. Those assessed as having a mild disability do not qualify for PCB.

For IP recipients, PCB can be paid for up to three years. There are no restrictions on weekly working hours or earnings. If recipients find they cannot continue working due to their medical condition, they can return to their original payment.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.