Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied)l in County Monaghan is awaiting a decision on an application for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40956/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 14 August 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 05 October 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO).

The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and has submitted further medical evidence in support of her request. This review will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. If the outcome of the review is not in favour of the person in question, she will have the right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) provides a basic weekly allowance to eligible people who have little or no income including eligible people who are awaiting a decision on another social welfare scheme. Applicants must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions including a means test. The person concerned may make an application for SWA through her local community welfare service so that her eligibility may be determined.