Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I am opposed to this section and agree with the sentiments expressed so far. I know the Minister of State can bring an amendment creating a charge to the State, such as regarding the employment of agency workers, because the Minister of State is part of the Government, but how does an amendment which allows a medical practitioner, including a person's general practitioner, to determine a person's eligibility create a charge on the State? Does the Government think GPs are going to start giving false information saying people are not able to work when they can? I do not think that will be the case and I do not understand the logic behind this. I hope the Minister of State will explain.

If we want medical assessors to work in this area, they should be permanent and full-time. Yesterday we heard about zero-hours contracts for Dunnes Stores workers, whose jobs have been eroded in the past 20 years. If the people are there, why are they working in agencies and not going directly through public procurement to get jobs? Will the Minister of State indicate the wages these medical assessors are earning? Are they low paid or paid in line with average pay rates? Rather than medical assessors waiting for work through an agency and having between 15% and 20% of their wages taken from them, surely they would be better off getting permanent full-time work with a public administrator.