James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to grant an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28122/13]

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. One of the contribution conditions for invalidity pension is that the claimant must have 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of claim. Only classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for invalidity pension purposes.

An application for invalidity pension was received from the person concerned. According to the department’s records the person concerned has only 45 qualifying contributions paid in 2012, the governing contribution year in this case, and consequently her claim was refused by a deciding officer. The applicant was notified on 21 May 2013 and advised of her rights of review or to appeal against this decision.

Alternatively, if the person’s means are insufficient to meet their needs, they may apply for means-tested disability allowance from the Department by completing the relevant application form and returning it to the address stated on the form. Their eligibility for disability allowance will then be assessed and they will be notified directly of the outcome.