Departmental Staff Relocation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015

Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Ceisteanna (180)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 24 February 2015, the reason she suggests that the officer in question may submit further medical evidence to the chief medical officer, when she stated the chief medical officer had no role in advising on the location of a post; in view of the fact that she stated this was a matter for management the criteria used by management in deciding on a request for relocation based on disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10467/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

In instances where a staff member seeks a transfer on medical grounds the case is referred for advice to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) who advises Departments on medical matters. At the time of the original referral, the CMO in her response did not state that there were medical grounds to accede to the request for an alternate location to that of the planned relocation of the Department’s Office. In the circumstances, HR Division was not in a position to facilitate the request for relocation outside the standard transfer protocols.

Following a recent meeting with the officer in question, HR Division has sought and is awaiting further advice from the CMO in this matter. The staff member involved was also afforded the opportunity to attend a further appointment with the CMO or to submit further medical evidence.