Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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863. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the review of an application (details supplied); what documents are being requested and are outstanding for this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56502/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

A state pension non-contributory application form was received from the person concerned on 14 December 2022.

Following an investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector, a Deciding Officer disallowed the application as the person concerned failed to fully disclose their means by not providing all the requested information to determine their eligibility. On 14 February 2023, the person was notified in writing of this decision, and of their right to request a review of the decision or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. There is no record that an appeal against the decision was received.

Following the Deputy’s Parliamentary Question, a re-examination of the person’s State pension non-contributory entitlement was initiated.

On 13 December 2023, the case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate the means of the person, so that a pension entitlement could be assessed.

On 14 December 2023, the Inspector issued correspondence to the person concerned, outlining the required documentation in order for his State pension non-contributory entitlement to be established.

The Inspector returned their report to the Deciding Officer on 11 January 2024, confirming that the person concerned had not supplied all requested documentation and therefore it was not possible to establish their entitlement to the payment.

The Deciding Officer disallowed the review of the person’s State pension non-contributory entitlement, on 11 January 2024, for the reason that the applicant had failed to disclose their means by not providing the information as requested by the Inspector. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 11 January 2024, and of their right to request a review of the decision or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Separately, a state pension contributory application form has been received on 28 December 2023 from the person concerned and is currently being examined.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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864. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied). [56598/23]

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 an application for IP from the person concerned on 8 September 2023. 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 on 14 December 2023 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 the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.