Vol. 452 No. 3
26 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to end discrimination against insulin dependent diabetics in the secondary teachers' superannuation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7250/95]
There is no specific discrimination against insulin dependent diabetics in the assessment of applications for admission to the statutory secondary teachers superannuation scheme. When applying for admission to this voluntary scheme each applicant must provide proof of health and physical fitness. For this purpose, the scheme provides that the applicant must submit to a medical examination.
A decision on whether or not an applicant may be admitted to the scheme is based on the outcome of the medical examination and on the advice of the chief medical officer for the Civil Service. This procedure applies to all applicants. It reflects the fact that an applicant's state of health is an important consideration in deciding on admission to any pension scheme. From time to time applicants have been refused admission to the scheme because of a variety of physical or psychological conditions. There have been two cases where applicants with insulin dependent diabetes have been refused admission on medical grounds. The chief medical officer is prepared to review these cases in the light of any new medical evidence.
