Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise in relation to a person (details supplied) who has been refused invalidity pension and supplementary welfare allowance, given they have been without any payment since December 2022; and how her Department can provide them with the support needed. [20664/23]

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 an application for IP for the person concerned on 25 January 2023. This application was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Notification issued on 13 March 2023 informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right to request a review or appeal.

The person concerned submitted further medical evidence in support of their application. My Department has carried out three separate reviews and the decision has remained unchanged. The outcomes of these reviews issued to the person concerned on 13 April 2023, on 25 April 2023 and on 28 April 2023.

On 28 March 2023, the person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The SWAO will be in contact in due course on the matter of this appeal.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme acts as a safety net within the overall social welfare system to provide assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes or who are awaiting a decision on a social welfare application. Basic SWA is a statutory means tested scheme whereby the assessment of the means of the claimant and of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, may include the value of any income, savings, investments, capital and property (other than the family home).

An application for SWA was received from the person concerned on 23 January 2023, their Illness Benefit payment having expired on 10 December 2022. However, the application was refused on the grounds that their means exceed the rate of Basic SWA Payment payable based on the family circumstances. Notification issued on 7 February 2023 informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right to request a review or appeal. There is no record of an appeal of this decision with the SWAO.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.