Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
414. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection why an application for the invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) was refused on the basis that they did not have sufficient contributions; the reason they have not received credits for the past two years in view of the fact that they have been in receipt of the disability allowance for the past seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10000/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension is payable to an insured person who satisfies certain Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and who is permanently incapable of work due to an illness or incapacity and for no other reason.
Claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions class (A, E, H or S) 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 Invalidity Pension claim.
The relevant date is:
(a) any date after the completion of one year of continuous incapacity for work, or
(b) any lesser period that may be prescribed, subject to the conditions and in the circumstances that may be prescribed where the insured person has entered into a continuous period of incapacity for work and he or she is subsequently proved to be permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned submitted an application for Invalidity Pension on 28 September 2022. It was decided that the relevant year in this case is 2017. According to the Department’s records there are 0 weeks qualifying contributions paid or credited for him in the contribution year prior to the relevant date (2016) and 0 weeks qualifying contributions paid or credited for him in the second last year prior to the relevant date (2015). This application has been disallowed and the person concerned was notified of the decision on 28 January 2023, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The person concerned is not due credits for their Disability Allowance (DA) payment as they to not have the required social insurance (PRSI) contributions paid or credited in the tax years immediately prior to the award of their DA claim.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
