64. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer in 2016 of extending the wage subsidy scheme to those in receipt of partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38705/15]

The partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme is designed for people who are on illness benefit, for at least six months, or on invalidity pension and who have retained some capacity for work and wish to work. If awarded, PCB will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working.

The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to private sector employers, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.

Assuming that all PCB recipients would meet the hours worked threshold and based on current number of recipients, the cost of extending the WSS to those participating on the PCB scheme would be around €11 million.

Budgetary considerations would be a key factor in relation to extending eligibility for the WSS to employers who employ people in receipt of PCB.