Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2012
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an appeal in respect of an application for invalidity pension will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46775/12]
View answerInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 24 May 2011. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 11 January 2012.
Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted by the claimant. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who also expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. Accordingly, the deciding officer has confirmed the original decision and the claimant was notified of the outcome on 26 June 2012.
The person concerned has appealed the decision and has, again, submitted further medical evidence which has been forwarded to a different medical assessor for evaluation. If following this review she still does not satisfy the medical criteria, her file and a submission will be forwarded to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. If the claimant satisfies the medical criteria, a revised decision will be made on her application by a deciding officer and she will be notified directly of same.
