Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to set out the position of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28837/16]

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 was previously self-employed and paying PRSI contributions at class S. Class S contributions are not reckonable for IP purposes. As previously advised, the person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied and he was notified on the 23 September 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person in question is in receipt of Disability Allowance at a reduced rate consequent on means.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.