James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28323/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 PRSI contribution conditions.

My Department received an application for IP from the person concerned on 13 June 2024. 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 in question on 17 June 2024 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.

The person concerned exhausted their entitlement to Illness Benefit (IB) on 22 May 2024. A letter issued to her on the 22 February 2024 advising that her IB entitlement is due to end from 22 May 2024 and providing details of the options for alternative supports available to her.

Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare support which allows qualifying individuals to return to work or self-employment (if they have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from my Department. An applicant must have been in receipt of IB (for a minimum of 6 months) or Invalidity Pension prior to being awarded PCB and returning to work. To qualify for PCB, an applicant may not commence work until they have received written approval from my Department to do so. PCB, when IB is the underlying scheme, will only last until the IB claim entitlement exhausts. As the person concerned has already exhausted their IB payments, there is no entitlement to PCB in this case.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance 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. My Department has not received any application for SWA from the person concerned to to date.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.