Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
421. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 9 April, how an assessment is conducted with respect to determining the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person's capacity to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18082/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn conducting assessments of the impact of an illness or disability on a person's capcity to work all submitted medial evidence from the customer’s own doctor, hospital clinician, or other health care provider, along with the customer’s own account of the impact to their health and functioning is taken into consideration.
All information provided is considered against the qualifying criteria of the relevant scheme.
Medical Assessors employed by the Department are all qualified physicians and come from a variety of backgrounds, including General Practice, Surgery and Psychiatry and are trained in occupational health assessments. They do not question the diagnosis presented by the person seeking an income support but assess the impact of the condition(s on the person's capacity to work taking due account of the prognosis of the condition(s); its severity, the expected duration of the condition(s); the treatment received and/or future planned treatment or intervention.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
