Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018
339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if new medical evidence to the effect that the person is unlikely to work again within the next year or more will facilitate reconsideration in the case of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2706/18]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on 16 June 2017. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 16 August 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
He appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). An appeals officer (AO), having taken all available information into account, upheld the department’s decision and disallowed the appeal. The gentleman concerned was notified of the decision of the AO on 03 January 2018. The decision of an AO is final and conclusive in the absence of additional relevant evidence not available at the time of the appeal. Any new facts/evidence should be forwarded to the independent SWAO for consideration.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
