Vol. 574 No. 3
186 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who wishes to retire on disability grounds; the reason the chief medical officer has not assessed this person's suitability for disability pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27086/03]
Entitlement of an applicant to a disability pension is established through verification by my Department in consultation with the chief medical officer for the Civil Service that the applicant is not capable of performing his or her duties due to infirmity of body or mind and that the infirmity is likely to be permanent. In the case referred to by the Deputy, the chief medical officer has advised that the applicant be examined by a medical consultant whom he has nominated for this purpose. The examination has been arranged for 19 November next. The chief medical officer, on receipt of the consultant's report, will make a recommendation to my Department on foot of which my Department will decide on the application.
