Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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435. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27200/16]

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.

To qualify for IP, claimants must have (inter-alia) 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 person concerned has been in receipt of Disability Allowance from this Department since the 03 December 2014 at a reduced rate consequent on means. An application for IP was received from the person concerned on the 08 July 2016. He was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question was notified on the 23 September 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.