Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason invalidity pension was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, if she will accept this enquiry as grounds for a late appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44052/12]

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. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 10 August 2011. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. She was notified on 09 June 2012 of this decision, the reason for it and of the options open to her if she was dissatisfied with the decision.

If the person concerned has any additional or supplementary medical evidence which was not already submitted in support of her claim, she may request a review of the decision by sending the additional information to the invalidity pension section as soon as possible. Any further medical evidence will be evaluated by a different medical assessor and a decision on the review will issue to the applicant. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision if she is not satisfied with the outcome of the review. If she has no additional medical evidence for submission, she may make an appeal in writing to the Social Welfare Appeals Office as soon as possible, clearly stating the grounds for her appeal and enclosing the original decision notification if at all possible.