Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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279. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the refusal of an application for a disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); if the invalidity pension or disability allowance is more appropriate in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60130/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions

The person concerned submitted an application for DA on 30 July 2021.

Based on the evidence supplied this person’s application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to supply the information, which was requested by this Department, to determine their eligibility. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 1 November 2021

I can confirm that the requested information was received by my department, and a review of this decision was carried out on 30 November 2022.

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 04 August 2021. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 21 December 2022. Arrears of payment due from 04 August 2021 to 20 December 2022 will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.

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.

To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.

A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 18 June 2021. The claim was refused on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Specifically, the person concerned does not have the required 260 contributions paid since she entered social insurance. She was notified on 15 July 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. No request for a review or an appeal was received from the person concerned.

If the person concerned wishes to have a Deciding Officer review their IP application, then they may request a review of the IP decision and provide additional information regarding their period(s) of employment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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280. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the living alone allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60134/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A living alone increase is an extra payment for people who live alone, aged 66 years or over, and receiving certain social welfare payments. These payments include State pension (contributory and non-contributory), Widow(er)’s or surviving partner’s contributory pension, Widow(er)’s pension under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, Incapacity supplement under the occupational injuries benefit scheme and Deserted wife’s benefit.

It is also payable to people living alone under age 66 who are in receipt of Disability allowance, Invalidity pension, Incapacity supplement and Blind pension.

As the person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment, they are not eligible to receive a living alone increase.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.