Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
436. 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. [33635/23]
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.
My Department received an application for IP from the person concerned on 9 November 2022. 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.
The person in question does not have the required 260 paid PRSI contributions in Ireland. The application was refused on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. A notification of the decision, to refuse his claim, issued to the person concerned on 30 November 2022.
As the person concerned had previously worked in the United Kingdom, a request was made to the UK authorities on 20 December 2022, on 4 January 2023 and 28 April 2023 for his UK contribution record. To date, the requested information has not been received from the UK authorities and this information was requested again on 4 July 2023.
Unfortunately, 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 endeavor to establish the entitlement of the person in question and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
