Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
184. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath to ensure the person is granted a top-up invalidity pension, given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40632/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity 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.
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 complete contribution year before the date of their claim.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 28 October 2015. The person concerned was ineligible for IP under national legislation on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Her claim was then considered under EU Regulations and the person in question does not have an entitlement to IP as she has insufficient contributions paid or credited in Ireland. She was notified on the 06 November 2015 of the decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
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.
The person concerned made an application for DA. The application was refused on 12 June 2015 as the person’s means exceeded the statutory limit for the scheme. If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed, it is open to her to make a new application for DA and a decision on her eligibility will be made as soon as possible.
