Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase the invalidity pension in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35951/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who are permanently incapable of work because of a long-term illness or disability. To qualify for an award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions. At 66, those on Invalidity pension transfer automatically to the State Pension (Contributory) at the full rate. Invalidity Pension is taxable. Recipients are entitled to a Free Travel Pass and may also get extra social welfare benefits, for example, the Household Benefits Package. Invalidity Pension was extended to the self-employed from December 2017.

Expenditure on Invalidity Pension was over €728 million in 2019, continuing a steady increase from almost €673 million in 2016. The expected expenditure for 2020 is almost €749 million. There were 58,168 recipients in 2019, with 76,577 beneficiaries when qualified adult and children are included.

My Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any change to the rate of payment would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.