Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
242. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine a recent rejection of a social welfare claim which the office of appeal has awarded (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13424/24]
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 for the person concerned on 20 October 2022. His application was refused on 30 January 2023 on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). An Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal on 15 May 2023. Further medical evidence submitted on behalf of the person concerned and at an oral hearing was taken into account by another Appeals Officer, who, having fully considered all the evidence, found that the person in question did meet the medical conditions for IP and allowed the appeal by way of summary decision on 23 January 2024.
Along with satisfying the medical conditions for IP claimants must also satisfy the contribution conditions for the scheme. 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.
According to the Department’s records, there were no qualifying contributions paid or credited during the relevant periods that could be taken into account to establish an entitlement to IP. Accordingly, the application has been disallowed.
The person concerned was notified of the decision on 19 February 2024, along with the reasons for the decision and regarding his right of review and appeal. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has not received a request to appeal this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
