Which one of the following individuals is NOT eligible for the State invalidity pension?

• A. Tanya, an employee of a bank
• B. Jonathan, a civil servant who joined the public service in 1990
• C. Melissa, a self-employed doctor
• D. Harry, a working proprietary director of his own company

Answer: (B)

State invalidity pension is a contributory benefit that depends on having enough PRSI contributions and being medically incapacitous for work. The key point is that eligibility hinges on having a sufficient history of PRSI payments and a medical assessment confirming permanent inability to work.

Public service employees who joined the civil service under the public service pension system are not covered by the same PRSI-based invalidity provisions as employees in the private sector. Because of that, a civil servant who joined the public service in 1990 would not meet the PRSI-based route to the State invalidity pension, even if they are permanently incapacitated. The other individuals—bank employee, self-employed doctor, and a working proprietary director—have PRSI contributions through their work arrangements and would generally qualify for the pension if they also satisfy the medical incapacity and contribution thresholds.

So the person not eligible is the civil servant who joined the public service in 1990.