James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension will be paid, following submission of an application in April, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford as this person's illness benefit will expire on 12 July 2012. [31839/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

A claim for invalidity pension has been received from the person concerned. In order to establish medical suitability a diagnostic report has issued to the person concerned to be completed by his general practitioner or other treating physician. In order to assist the Department to deal with the claim as efficiently and quickly as possible, it is important for a claimant for invalidity pension to ensure that all relevant and up-to-date supporting medical evidence is submitted to the Department at the outset with this diagnostic report.

The completed report (and supporting evidence, if applicable), once received, will be sent to a medical assessor for an opinion as to his medical suitability. When that opinion is received, the Deciding Officer will be in a position to make a decision on the claim and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.