Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath was refused an invalidity pension; if the application will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30467/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person in question is currently in receipt of means tested disability allowance.

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, 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 their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.

The department received a claim for IP from the person concerned on 22 June 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. He was notified on 1 July 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. On foot of this enquiry, a review of all the information available has been carried out and it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on 17 September 2015 of the outcome of the review and of his right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.