Written answers

Wednesday, 26 September 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has been refused invalidity pension due to the fact that they became ill and had to give up self-employment before the date on which the self-employed became eligible for an invalidity pension. [38656/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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From the introduction of the invalidity pension (IP) in 1970 up to 1 December 2017, self-employed PRSI (Class S) contributions could not be used to satisfy the social insurance qualifying contributions for Invalidity Pension.

The extension of Invalidity Pension (IP) to self-employed contributors from the 1st December 2017 has, for the first time, given the self-employed access to a social insurance based income support if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability, without having to go through a means test. This represented a real improvement in the level of social insurance cover available to the self-employed even though the level of contribution was not increased and remained below that paid in respect of employed contributors.

I am aware that the Department has received an application for IP from the person concerned on two separate occasions; on 20 January 2016 and 5 January 2018. Both applications were disallowed on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.

I have met the person you have referred to on a number of occasions personally, and I will continue to provide support and assistance to them.

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