Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of a decision on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20999/23]

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.

I confirm that my department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 13 February 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 22 March 2023 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. Further medical evidence was received on 11 April 2023 and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 24 April 2023.

It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA or request an appeal of the decision 24 April 2023, to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a UK social insurance record has been received to complete the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21000/23]

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 9 November 2022. To qualify for IP, a claimant must 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 years before the relevant date of their claim.

The person in question does not have the required 260 paid PRSI contributions in Ireland. The claim was refused under national legislation on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. The person was notified on 30 November 2022 of this decision, the reasons for it and was given the right to request a review and/or appeal.

As the person concerned had previously worked in the United Kingdom (UK), a request was made to the UK Authorities for his UK contribution record. My Department requested details of his insurable employment from the UK Authorities on 20 December 2022 through the normal channels. No reply was received and follow up requests were issued to the UK authorities on 4 January 2023 and, most recently, on 28 April 2023. To date, the requested information has not been received.

Claims processed under Bilateral/EU Regulations are more complex and can take longer to finalise as the Department is highly dependent on receiving necessary information from other States. The Department will continue to pursue the details of his entitlement and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21010/23]

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.

My Department received the initial application for IP from the person on 15 February 2023. On 5 April 2023, this individual submitted the required GP report to support their application. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.

A notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 2 May 2023 informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21011/23]

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 person referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 30 March 2023 and will receive her first payment to her nominated bank account on 18 May 2023. Arrears of payment due from 30 March 2023 to 17 May 2023 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of overlapping payments (if applicable). The person in question was notified of this decision on 2 May 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.