Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

250. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average length of time taken to determine entitlement to an invalidity pension; the extent to which this has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39122/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. 

The average time taken to award a new IP claim in August 2018 was ten weeks.  The following table lists the average processing time over the past 5 years to date.

The Department is committed to ensuring that claims and reviews are processed as expeditiously as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.