Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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407. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the length of time a person (details supplied) has been in receipt of an invalidity pension; if the records show that the person actually applied for this payment and, if not, to explain the circumstances in which they ended up on the payment; if the person has an entitlement to a widow's pension, contributory or non-contributory) while receiving invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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 06 January 2003. IP was awarded from the 09 January 2003 and continued in payment up to March 2010. The department received a claim for widow’s contributory pension (WCP) from the person in question on the 23 February 2010. WCP was awarded from the 26 March 2010. While IP had to be stopped from that date (as both IP and WCP cannot be paid at the same time), the person in question also received half-rate illness benefit from this date for 390 days to the 23 June 2011 as was allowed under Social Welfare regulations at that time.

The person concerned requested re-instatement of her IP by letter dated 26 April 2012 and IP was awarded to her again from the 24 May 2012 and, accordingly, her WCP was stopped. IP remains in payment to the person in question to date.

The person concerned cannot receive WCP while in receipt of IP but can re-apply for WCP instead of IP at any time. The person in question currently qualifies for a free travel pass from the department due to her IP entitlement. This would not be available to a recipient of WCP who is under 66 years.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.