asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the policy of investigation and medical inspection of Social Welfare claimants which has now reached virtual harassment and the proposals, if any, to remedy the situation.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Claims.
200.
In the administration of disability benefit, medical supervision is necessary to ensure that only persons who are in fact sick are paid benefit. This supervision is exercised through medical referees to whom claimants are from time to time referred for examination for the purpose of obtaining independent second medical opinions as to incapacity for work.
When the examination is being arranged the claimant's medical certifier in all cases is notified of the date and place of the proposed examination and invited to attend if he so desires. He is also requested to furnish particulars of the claimant's medical history and present condition, and to say whether the claimant is in a fit state of health to attend for examination.
The medical referee system was introduced after consultation with representatives of the medical profession and there has been no change in the procedure for these examinations over the years. If the certifier intimates that the claimant is not fit to attend his statement is accepted but there is no reason why a person who is fit to attend should object to examination by a medical referee.
There is no record of any case in which a claimant has complained that a request to attend for examination by a medical referee has amounted to harassment. If, however, the Deputy considers that hardship was caused to any person by attendance for such an examination the matter will be looked into if he will be good enough to furnish details.