Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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558. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a claim for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) was unsuccessful; if this claim can be reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21347/18]

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 a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes. Paid voluntary contributions are not reckonable for IP purposes.

The department received a claim for IP for the lady concerned on the 12 April 2018. She was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 16 April 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

A person who has an insufficient PRSI contribution record to qualify for a social insurance benefit/pension may apply for the appropriate means-tested social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy