James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11061/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 21 February 2020. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person was notified on 1 April 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal of the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) within 21 days.

The person concerned requested a review of the decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available it was decided that there was no change to the original decision. She was notified on 23 September 2020 of the outcome of the review.

I am advised that the SWAO have confirmed that they received a letter of appeal from the person concerned on 1 February 2021. I am also advised, however, that as she is outside the 21 day time limit for submitting an appeal, the SWAO are not accepting the appeal and have informed the person concerned by correspondence dated 22 February 2021.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.