asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who are on disability benefit for (a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years and (e) five years or more; the number of those who have applied for invalidity pension; and the percentage of invalidity pension applicants who are successful.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Statistics.
146.
The information requested by the Deputy in so far as it is available is given as follows. The most recent information available is for December 1988.
Disability Benefit Durations
|
Duration |
Males |
Females |
Total |
|
(a) Over 1 year to 2 years |
4,970 |
3,770 |
8,740 |
|
(b) Over 2 years to 3 years |
2,880 |
2,380 |
5,260 |
|
(c) Over 3 years to 4 years |
2,610 |
2,210 |
4,820 |
|
(d) Over 4 years to 5 years |
2,020 |
1,920 |
3,940 |
|
(e) 5 years or more |
6,290 |
8,860 |
15,150 |
Source: Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services 1988, Table D6, page 45.
There is no information on the numbers of disability benefit recipients at different durations who have applied for invalidity pension.
In 1988 almost 10,000 disability benefit claimants were considered for invalidity pension and just under half were awarded a pension. Included in the number who were not awarded a pension is a sizeable proportion (some 40%) who elected to remain on disability benefit. The majority of those who were not awarded a pension would have failed to satisfy the medical conditions at that particular point in time but many would subsequently qualify on such grounds.