2031. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for invalidity pension. [61475/26]

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.

To qualify for Invalidity Pension, a person must have:

• A total of 260 weeks PRSI paid contributions since entering social insurance And

• 48 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the last or second last complete tax year before the relevant date of their claim.

Only PRSI paid at Classes A, E ,H and S count towards Invalidity Pension.

According to my Department's records, the person concerned does not have the required 260 paid contributions at Class A, E, H or S on their PRSI contribution record at this time. However, entitlement for IP can only be determined on receipt of a completed application from the person in question.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.