Vol. 566 No. 1
776 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an invalidity pension is not payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12170/03]
The person concerned applied for an invalidity pension on 10 December 2002. He is currently receiving disability benefit of €241.20 per week, including qualified dependant allowance and child dependant allowance in respect of two children.
To qualify for invalidity pension an applicant must be permanently incapable of work and satisfy certain PRSI conditions. The person concerned was examined on 24 February 2003 by a medical assessor of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was currently incapable of work but not permanently so.
He was refused invalidity pension and was notified of this decision on 26 March 2003, the reasons for it and of his right of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office. This decision has not been appealed to date.
777 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) will qualify for an EU pro rata contributory pension. [12171/03]
There is no record of an application for pension having been received from the person concerned. As he is resident in the UK, he is required to make his application for pension through the UK Department of Social Security, DSS.
That department has been requested to initiate a claim for the person concerned and to forward the necessary liaison papers to my Department. When the relevant details are received his possible entitlement to an EU pro rata pension will be examined and he will be notified of the position.
