Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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548. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the eligibility for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36846/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow's contributory pension from this Department of €193.50 per week and a fuel allowance of 20.00 per week when applicable.

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. Claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of the IP claim. Only Classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.

Although entitlement can only be fully determined on receipt of a completed application form, the department's records for the person concerned show insufficient contributions to qualify for an IP. To date no application for IP has been received from the person concerned.