Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for family income supplement claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14419/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The average waiting time for family income supplement (FIS) claims at the end of April is 15 weeks. At the end of April, there were approximately 7,508 new FIS applications and approximately 5,348 renewal applications awaiting approval.

The volume of FIS claims on hand and the delays in processing are a consequence of continued strong claim intake.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Social Protection why it is perceived that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare does not qualify for disability allowance or invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14438/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment made to people who satisfy the social insurance contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The claimant was awarded an invalidity pension from 24 January 2008. Following a review of the customer's medical eligibility, it was decided in 2009 that she no longer satisfied the medical criteria for invalidity pension. Accordingly, her invalidity pension payment was terminated from 5 November 2009.

The claimant appealed this decision and following a second medical examination and having considered all the evidence, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal for the person concerned. The decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive in the absence of fresh facts or evidence.

If the person concerned feels she would now satisfy the eligibility criteria for invalidity pension she may reapply and her claim will be assessed and she will be notified directly of the outcome.

Disability allowance is a weekly payment for persons aged between 16 and 65 with a disability that is expected to last for at least one year. To get the payment, a person must satisfy the medical and means conditions and be habitually resident in Ireland. Eligibility for disability allowance is established upon the making of an application by means of the submission of a fully completed claim form. To date, my department has not received a disability allowance application from the person in question.