Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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718. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the appropriate payment to be in receipt of in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39720/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity pension 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 gentleman concerned has been in receipt of invalidity pension since 11 June 2009. The department received a claim for widower’s contributory pension from him on 02 August 2017 and he has an entitlement to this payment from 18 August 2017. However, social welfare legislation does not permit the payment of widower’s pension at the same time as invalidity pension. As both payments are, in this case, payable at the same rate, he will remain on invalidity pension and benefit from additional Social Welfare benefits. The gentleman concerned was notified of this decision by letter on 08 August 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.