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

300. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason invalidity pension payment has been withdrawn in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39163/13]

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.

In common with all social welfare schemes, invalidity pension claimants are subject to periodic review to ensure that the conditions for receipt continue to be met. Claimants are invited to submit evidence and provide comment when their claims are being reviewed and all available evidence is taken into account by the deciding officer in making his/her decision.

For the invalidity pension scheme, a programme of control reviews is carried out to determine continuing entitlement to the scheme.

The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 15 September 2011.

A medical form issued to the person concerned on 10 May 2013 to be completed by his doctor / GP he is attending. A reminder medical form issued again, on 31 May 2013.

The completed and returned medical form was assessed by a medical assessor of the department who expressed the opinion, based on the information provided that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria for invalidity pension. A letter issued to the person concerned on 14 August 2013 which advised him of the medical assessor’s opinion and invited him to submit further /supporting medical documentation. The additional medical documentation submitted by the person concerned has been forwarded to a different medical assessor for review. Arrangements are being made for an in-person medical assessment, details of which will issue to the claimant shortly. Payment of invalidity pension for the person concerned will continue pending the outcome of the review.