Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Invalidity Pensions.

Noel Ahern

Question:

317 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the numbers, gender and duration of those claiming invalidity pension; if he will give details of those claiming who have been given exemption under the different provisions and are allowed to earn income; the numbers in each category and their income or income capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter and the procedures involved. [13141/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The breakdown of invalidity pensioners by number and gender at the end of December 1994 is as set out in the following Table 1. A duration breakdown of recipients of invalidity pension is set out in Table 2.

Table 1: Breakdown of Invalidity Pensioners by Age and Gender at the end of December 1994

Gender/Age	Number of Recipients
Males
Under 66 years	25,020
66 years and older	691
Total Males	25,711
Females
Under 66 years	14,071
66 years and over	441
Total Females	14,515
Grand Total	40,226

Table 2: Breakdown of Invalidity Pensioners by Duration at the end of December 1994

Duration in Payment	Number of Recipients
Up to 1 year	2,353
1-2 years	4,385
2-3 years	4,984
3-4 years	3,496
4-5 years	4,284
5-6 years	3,918
6-7 years	2,768
7-8 years	2,450
8-9 years	2,220
9-10 years	1,774
Over 10 years	7,614
Total	40,226

Since June 1993 a total of 290 exemptions have been granted to invalidity pensioners. 182 of these were granted to males and 108 were granted to females. Statistics prior to 1993 are not available and no differentiation is made between the different categories of exemptions.

Information on income or income capabilities is not held by my Department.

The usual procedures for applying for an exemption to earn income while on invalidity pension is as follows:

—A written request made by the person concerned.

—A letter is submitted by the person's doctor indicating that the proposed work is for rehabilitative/occupational therapy purposes or confirming the person's suitability for attendance at a training course with a view to taking up some other occupation.

—A letter is submitted by the employer giving details of the work or course (e.g. hours per week, remuneration and duration of employment/course).

—When the documentation is received the case is referred to the Department's Medical Advisor for his opinion. Following this an Officer of the Minister makes a decision to grant or not to grant an exemption.

—Special application forms with slightly more streamlined procedures have been agreed in dealing with applications for exemptions from the National Rehabilitation Board.