Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
412. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to address concerns that persons applying for disability allowance are being charged €60-80 for letters by their GPs; if he is taking any measures to provide for the reimbursement of these costs to those who successfully qualify for disability-related payments or supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30599/23]
View answerA number of schemes administered by my Department require medical evidence, provided by a GP, as part of the application process or as part of the process to determine continued eligibility for a certain payment. The Department has a panel of Medical Certifiers who carry out this role.
Payment in respect of completed Medical Certificates and Reports is made on an agreed fee-per-item basis to a Medical Certifier. The Medical Certifier completes and returns the required Certificate or Report to the Department or their patient as required, when requested to do so by the Department.
A Certifier cannot charge a fee for this Certificate or Report. Payments are issued from the Department to Certifiers for the completion of medical certification and medical reports. These payments may be in addition to whatever fees are charged for the clinical examination and treatment of patients. This fee is a matter for each individual GP or GP practice and is paid for by the patient privately or through the Medical Card/GP Visit Card service provided by the HSE.
If the Deputy is aware of any instance where they believe a GP may not be adhering to their obligations as a Medical Certifier of my Department, it should be brought to the attention of the Medical Review and Assessment Service section of my Department.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
