Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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993.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an invalidity pension review was refused for a person in County Mayo (details supplied), in view of the overriding medical evidence in this case and the fact that this person will not be able to work for a long time; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35235/24]

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 PRSI contribution conditions.

The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 8 March 2024. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. Notification issued to the person in question on 19 April 2024 informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

Following the submission of further medical evidence, a deciding officer reviewed his entitlement to IP. While the individual concerned is now deemed medically eligible for IP, the contribution conditions for the scheme are not met.

For IP claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions class (A, E, H or S) since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their Invalidity Pension claim.

The relevant year in this case is 2024. According to the Department’s records, the person referred to does not have the required 48 qualifying contributions paid or credited in the 2 contribution years immediately prior to 2024. Therefore, he has been again refused IP on the grounds that the qualifying contribution conditions are not met. Notification issued to the person in question on 4 September 2024 informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of further review and appeal.

If the individual concerned was self-employed in the 2 contribution years prior to the relevant date of his claim, he may wish to consider updating his tax affairs with Revenue and then have his social insurance record updated with any PRSI contributions due for the years involved. Following this he can seek a review of his IP claim and may meet all qualifying conditions.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.