Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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832. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reasons the May cost-of-living payment was not paid to qualified adults on a contributory pension in their own right; if she will reconsider this, given many qualified adults operate in a financially independent way from their respective spouses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28090/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government is acutely aware of the effect that high energy prices and the cost of living are having on families, businesses and the most vulnerable.

In addition to the substantial package of supports provided in Budget 2023, earlier this year, the Government announced a €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients including families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

The Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of the range of measures put in place. It is one lump sum payment of €200 for each eligible person in receipt of a primary payment in their own right. The €200 lump sum payment was paid in the week commencing 24/4/2023 to over 1.2 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments at a cost of approximately €250 million.

If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they will receive only one €200 lump sum payment. Each eligible primary recipient of a social welfare payment receives €200, regardless of the number of dependents (qualified adult or children) if any, or other social welfare payments.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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When the person concerned made an application for Illness Benefit, they were an adult dependant on their spouse's Jobseekers claim and an allowance was being paid for the individual on that Jobseekers claim. An individual cannot be paid the personal rate of Illness Benefit at the same time as being an adult dependant on another social welfare claim.

Both the Jobseekers claim and the Illness Benefit claim have been reviewed and the Illness Benefit claim has been awarded. The appropriate amount of arrears have also been awarded to the individual.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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834. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will intervene and review the invalidity pension application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28169/23]

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. Permanently incapable of work is defined as an incapacity for work of such a nature that the likelihood is that the claimant will be incapable of work for life or an incapacity which has existed for 12 months prior to the date of claim and where the Deciding Officer or Appeals Officer is satisfied that the claimant is likely to be unable to work for 1 year from the date of the claim.

My Department received an application for IP for the person in question on 25 July 2022. The person concerned was refused IP on 29 September 2022 on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) who have advised that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 17 May 2023. The person in question was notified of this decision on 23 May 2023.

Under Social Welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. In this regard, fresh medical evidence previously unseen by the Appeals Officer and relevant to the medical condition of the person concerned at date of application for IP on 25 July 2022 will be required in order to review the Appeals Office decision.

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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.