Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any flexibility in cases in which a person (details supplied) has the required number of PRSI contributions but not at the necessary class for the invalidity pension given that through no fault of the person's own, the person had paid a WOPS stamp during their early years at work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48941/21]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
The qualifying PRSI contribution is laid down in social welfare legislation and must be satisfied in order to be considered eligible for IP.
A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 23 July 2021. She was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Specifically, she does not have the required 260 contributions paid since entering social insurance. The WOPS credits on her record are not reckonable for Invalidity Pension purposes. She was notified on 27 July 2021 of the decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. Following enquires made to the Department's record PRSI section and a review of her application, the original decision to refuse her claim remained unchanged. The person concerned has appealed the decision of the 27 July 2021 and her file was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 03 September 2021 for determination by an Appeals Officer.
A person who has an insufficient PRSI contribution record to qualify for a social insurance benefit/pension may apply for the appropriate means-tested social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
