Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
309. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the body which will assess the capacity of persons in receipt of payment under the illness benefit scheme and the disability allowance scheme to be selected for the proposed fit for work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15705/16]
View answer310. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to recruit medical professionals to conduct assessments under the fit for work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15706/16]
View answer311. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to change the assessment process under the illness benefit scheme and the disability allowance scheme and to introduce one-on-one assessments with a medical professional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15707/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 311, inclusive, together.
The recently agreed programme for a partnership Government provides for a range of actions that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. One of these actions is a proposal for the Departments of Health and Social Protection to work together to pursue a “Fit for Work Programme” to support more people with an illness or disability to get back to work through early intervention.
The “Fit for Work” proposal is based on the findings of a pan European study, which examined the impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on an individual’s ability to work. The Irish module of this study was progressed by a coalition of key stakeholders and was led by Arthritis Ireland. The Irish College of General Practitioners, ICTU, IBEC and the Health and Safety Authority also contributed to the study.
Early interventions and developing return to work practices in the case of people with musculoskeletal incapacities is consistent with my Department’s approach to illness/disability income support, which aims to reduce the number of people progressing to chronic disability and long-term social welfare dependency. To this end, my Department has in 2015, issued a set of certification guidelines for GPs, which sets out defined periods of recovery for common medical conditions, including MSDs.
The certification guidelines build on the “Renaissance project”, which is an initiative of my Department since 2003. This has shown that early intervention reduced the incidence of progression from the acute simple low back pain to chronic disability in 64% of claimants.
While specific proposals for a “Fit for Work Programme” require further development and examination, I would once again like to assure the Deputy that any such proposals will be in line with the body of evidence which shows that generally employment is good for one’s mental and physical health and wellbeing and that, conversely, unemployment is damaging.
Current assessment procedures provide that any question in respect of eligibility to illness/disability related schemes is decided by a deciding officer of my Department who may in arriving at a decision, seek and have regard to the opinion of a Medical Assessor. There are no current plans to alter these arrangements.
I hope that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
