Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

450. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when an invalidity pension application will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31686/13]

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

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 08 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, based on the evidence provided, that the person concerned was not eligible for invalidity pension as she did not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 14 April 2012.

Further medical evidence was subsequently received from the claimant on several separate dates in the period between October 2012 and April 2013 with requests that the decision be reviewed. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who also expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. The deciding officer has confirmed the original decision and notified the claimant of the outcome on 12 June 2013, advising her of her right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.