Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her presentation and welcome her staff. I was not sure what today's meeting was about but I gather that it is a presentation of what was stated in the budget and how measures are implemented.

I wish to raise a few issues regarding pending claims for the invalidity or disability pension. We have discovered that there is not a one-size-fits-all pension. To qualify for an invalidity pension one must fit the criteria set down by the welfare office. Sometimes people do not meet the criteria, and I want to ask the Minister how her Department deals with such cases. A person applying for the invalidity pension must prove that he or she has been out of work for at least a year. A doctor must confirm that is the case, but many doctors do not like making such a claim because they may not know what the illness is. I have heard about a couple of such cases in my office. I know the Minister cannot discuss individual cases but I seek her overall view of the matter. A situation seems to have developed whereby applications for an invalidity or disability pension are returned for review or appeal and more letters from consultants, doctors and specialists must be supplied. Is that the case? How are the criteria being implemented in the relevant sections in her Department?

The Minister mentioned that 1,000 people are returning to work per month.