209. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47899/26]

A Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person to return to work or self-employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work are eligible for PCB if their capacity for work is reduced due to their medical condition. Applications must be received prior to a person returning to work and consideration is given if a ‘late’ application is received within 21 days of returning to work.

The person concerned applied for Partial Capacity Benefit on 27 November 2025. In their application they notified the Department that they had returned to work on 6 November 2026 and this was confirmed by their employer on 24 April 2026.

Their claim was disallowed on 18 March 2026 on the grounds that the application for PCB claim was received more than 3 weeks after the person concerned commenced employment. There is no discretion allowed by deciding officers (DO) are obliged to follow the legislation.

Following a further review of the additional information provided, the decision to disallow PCB has been revised. The person concerned has now been awarded PCB from 6 November 2025. They were notified of this decision on 23 June 2026.

I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.