Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a UK social insurance record has been received to complete the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21000/23]
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.
The Department received an application for IP for the person concerned on 9 November 2022. To qualify for IP, a claimant must 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 years before the relevant date of their claim.
The person in question does not have the required 260 paid PRSI contributions in Ireland. The claim was refused under national legislation on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. The person was notified on 30 November 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it and was given the right to request a review and/or appeal.
As the person concerned had previously worked in the United Kingdom (UK), a request was made to the UK Authorities for his UK contribution record. My Department requested details of his insurable employment from the UK Authorities on 20 December 2022 through the normal channels. No reply was received and follow up requests were issued to the UK authorities on 4 January 2023 and, most recently, on 28 April 2023. To date, the requested information has not been received.
Claims processed under Bilateral/EU Regulations are more complex and can take longer to finalise as the Department is highly dependent on receiving necessary information from other States. The Department will continue to pursue the details of his entitlement and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
