Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which invalidity pension was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18654/14]
View answerThe medical eligibility criteria for disability allowance (DA) and for invalidity pension (IP) are not the same. To qualify for DA, a person (inter-alia) must be considered to be substantially restricted in undertaking employment suitable to his/her age, qualifications and experience. The medical eligibility criteria for IP specify that the person must be permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of DA.
A claim for IP was received for the person concerned on 16 August 2011. A deciding officer decided at that time that the claimant did not satisfy the medical criteria and the claim was refused.
A further claim for IP was received for the person concerned on 22 November 2013. A medical diagnostic report completed by the claimant’s general practitioner was returned on 13 March 2014. The person concerned also attended an in-person medical assessment on 24 March 2014 with a medical assessor. A deciding officer, having taken all the relevant evidence into account, decided that the person concerned did not satisfy the qualifying conditions for IP. The claim was refused and the person in question was notified of this decision on 02 April 2014. He was advised of his right to request a review of the decision and also of his right to lodge an appeal with the social welfare appeals office.
To date no further correspondence has been received from the person concerned.
