James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 89: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for an invalidity pension, which was submitted over 18 months ago, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27626/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 10 February 2011. The person concerned attended for a medical assessment with a medical assessor of the Department. On the basis of this assessment, the medical assessor was of the opinion that the person concerned was not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it. Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted by the claimant. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. The deciding officer found that there were no grounds to overturn the original decision to disallow invalidity pension and the person concerned was notified of the outcome of this review. He was notified of his right to lodge an appeal with the social welfare appeals office however no appeal of this decision was received.

This department received a subsequent claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 12 January 2012. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of this claim was examined by a medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it. He was notified of his right to request a review and of his right to lodge an appeal. To date no further correspondence has been received from the applicant.