asked the Minister for Social Welfare the qualifications required for an appeals officer; and if he considers these qualifications adequate to assess the medical aspects of a case submitted for appeal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appeals Officer Qualifications.
68.
Section 43 of the Social Welfare Act, 1952 provides that the Minister for Social Welfare may appoint such of his officers as he thinks proper to be appeals officers. In practice the officers appointed are senior officials who have wide experience of the social welfare services. In a case where a medical aspect arises there are available to the appeals officer the medical report of the claimant's doctor and the report of a medical referee in my Department. In addition to these reports the appeals officer may occasionally seek a report from a medical specialist.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are adequate to meet the requirements of the situation.