Austin Deasy
Question:52 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social Welfare if invalidity pension can be granted to disability benefit recipients without having to wait the 12 months, where the illness or disease can be classified as incurable.
Written Answers. - Invalidity Pension Eligibility.
Richard Bruton
Question:68 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will modify the 12 months rule before a person can switch from disability benefit to invalidity pension, in the case of persons who have been diagnosed with permanently incapacitating illnesses, particularly those such as Motor Neurone Disease where the onset of debility is particularly rapid.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 68 together.
Invalidity pension is a long term payment intended for people who are permanently incapable of work by virtue of illness or disability. The experience of my Department has been that it can take some time to establish whether or not a condition is permanent. For this reason, invalidity pension has not been payable until the claimant has been continuously incapable of work for at least a year.
Situations can, however, arise where an illness could be regarded as permanent, even if the person concerned had not been ill for a full year. I am, therefore, revising the regulations to allow for award of invalidity pension in exceptional cases, without waiting 12 months, where it is clear that the incapacity for work is of such a nature that the person is likely to be incapable of work for life. The new regulation will come into effect shortly.