Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) currently on widow’s pension can qualify for a higher level of payment, such as an invalidity pension including free schemes, having particular reference to the fact they worked part time up until recently but is medically no longer in a position to do so. [25135/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow’s contributory pension at €198.50 per week, the maximum rate payable to a person under 66 years of age. The person is also in receipt of fuel allowance in the amount of €22.50 per week for the fuel season.

The weekly rate of invalidity pension is also €198.50. Additional benefits may be payable to qualified recipients of invalidity pension, including an increase for living alone, fuel allowance and the household benefits package, depending on the person’s circumstances.

It is open to the person concerned to have their entitlement to invalidity pension assessed by completing an application form and returning it directly to Invalidity Pension Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford. A deciding officer will examine the person’s entitlement and notify them of their decision in writing.

Full information in relation to invalidity pension, including an application form, is available on the Department’s website at .

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.