Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance and invalidity pension that have been refused on the grounds of various forms of ineligibility; if provision will be made to re-examine such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo qualify for a Disability Allowance (DA) payment a person must: be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment; be aged between 16 and 66; satisfy a means test; and be habitually resident in the State.
The total number of DA applications disallowed in 2021 was 13,989.
Invalidity 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 total number of IP applications disallowed in 2021 was 4,551.
Any unfavourable decision of a Deciding Officer must be communicated in writing to the claimant setting out the reasons for the decision.
It is open to any person to request a review of any statutory decision made by the Department and any new evidence or information provided to the Department will be considered as part of this review.
It is important to note that any decision of a deciding officer can be revised in light of additional evidence without it ever being in the appeal process. This can result in several reviews being carried out on a single application and by extension multiple decisions being made on a single application. These multiple decisions are included in the figures above.
Under the provisions of Section 311 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 if a person is dissatisfied with a statutory decision of the Department including the outcome of a review, they can submit a request for an appeal of the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
