Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is not being backdated to the date at which the person applied for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34289/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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.

The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on the 25 August 2014. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that, based on the information supplied, she was engaged in self-employment. The person in question was notified on 14 May 2015 of the decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person in question requested an appeal of the decision and submitted documentation confirming she had ceased self- employment from 30 April 2015. Following review based on this information, the person concerned was notified that her IP claim was awarded with effect from 30 April 2015 only and was notified of this decision on 20 August 2015, the reasons for it and of her right to review and appeal. If the person in question believes that she should be entitled to IP between the date of her original claim in August 2014 and the date of cessation of her self-employment in April 2015, it is open to her to appeal the matter to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.