Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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517. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a pension appeal of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51488/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 July 2022 and the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal were sought. 

Following a review by the Deciding Officer of all medical evidence now to hand, the person referred to has been awarded Invalidity Pension with effect from 14 April 2022.  Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 27 October 2022.  Any arrears due from 14 April 2022 to 26 October 2022 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course.  The person in question was notified of this decision on 14 October 2022.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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.

My department received an application for IP from the person concerned on 28 June 2022.  Based on the information supplied, it was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.  Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 28 September 2022 along with the reasons why the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.  This letter also advised of their right to seek a review of this decision or to appeal this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date no such request has been received. This has been reissued to the person concerned on 13 October 2022. 

The social insurance contributions paid by the person referred to from 2018 are as follows:

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.