Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to confirm the status of an invalidity pension application for a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; that serious consideration would be granted to awarding this allowance due to the nature of their medical circumstances, which are outlined in the medical documentation provided with their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33422/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 contribution conditions.

The person concerned was awarded IP with effect from 22 May 2025 and will receive her first payment to her nominated bank account on 3 July 2025. She will receive all arrears due to her for the period 22 May 2025 to 2 July 2025, less the Illness Benefit received during this period, to her account shortly after her first IP payment. She was notified of the decision in relation to her IP entitlement on 17 June 2025.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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342. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to confirm the status of a person’s (details supplied) disability allowance review and appeal; when a decision is likely to be reached and that serious consideration would be granted to awarding this allowance due to their medical circumstances, which are outlined in the medical documentation provided with their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33437/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 17th June 2025. The person concerned will be notified in writing of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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343. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a HAS application submitted by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33446/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides assistance to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) which was activated on Thursday, 23 January in advance of Storm Éowyn’s arrival.

The purpose of supports available under HAS 2 is to provide financial support to eligible householders whose primary dwelling i.e., their home only, was damaged by severe weather events. The scheme is designed to provide hardship alleviation, as opposed to compensation. HAS 2 support helps to make a person’s accommodation habitable again in the aftermath of a severe weather event and may include funding for work such as plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting as well as the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items.

Where financial assistance is required for structural damage and the estimated cost as outlined in builder’s quotes provided by the customer is of a high value amount, the case will be referred to the Loss Adjusters appointed by the Department of Social Protection.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned submitted a HAS 2 application, and his claim was referred to the Loss Adjusters who have just recently finalised their report. The Department is currently reviewing this report, and a decision is expected to issue to the person in writing this week.

I trust this clarifies the matter.