Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
1235. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to include fibromyalgia as an illness to be considered for the disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12944/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra1253. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that although fibromyalgia is a life-long debilitating condition that effects the ability to work it is not listed as a disability and thus creates difficulties for sufferers in accessing social welfare in the cases in which they cannot work or cannot afford medical expenses of treatments that are recommended by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13068/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1235 and 1253 together.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a range of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability itself but on the extent to which a person’s capacity to work is restricted by illness or disability.
In all cases a deciding officer of my Department makes a decision in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation including supporting medical evidence supplied by the applicant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.
