Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the processes for a resident of the north who works or may have worked in this State to claim an invalidity pension or other social protection entitlements; where the person can access this information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4427/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A person resident outside the State who has questions relating to Social Protection entitlements can access the online enquiry facilities available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ieand www.citizensinformation.ie. In addition, the Department provides a general information telephone service on LoCall 1890 66 22 44 where people can get information on the wide range of schemes and services operated by the Department. A person resident outside the State may contact a citizen’s information office by phone or call to one of their offices if that is feasible in order to obtain information.

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. EU Regulations provide that insurance contributions made in any other EU Member State may be aggregated with Irish contributions in order to satisfy the contribution conditions. In addition to satisfying the contribution criteria for IP, applicants must also satisfy the medical criteria.

In order to determine medical eligibility of a person resident in Northern Ireland, the Department issues a request to the Department for Social Development, Social Security Agency, Overseas Benefits Unit, Belfast to have a medical assessment conducted. On receipt of the completed medical report from Northern Ireland, the person’s medical eligibility for IP is determined and the IP claim is processed. The person concerned is notified directly of the outcome.