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

Having thought about the situation I do not agree with the comments of the Minister of State. We have been discussing an amendment to the effect that all avenues are investigated first to provide full-time work and permanent jobs in those positions.

The Minister of State made a point to the effect that many of the appeals are accepted on the basis that further information has come forward which is more precise. Obviously, what is happening is that people go through the process at the beginning without knowing what they are supposed to provide for what is a serious investigation into their case or claim. Surely it would be better to have one or two at the front line to explain to people when they come in to make a claim what exactly is needed for that claim. I am not suggesting the Department should tell people to go to a GP and tell the GP what they need to hear. I do not believe GPs put down what people ask them. They make an assessment with professionalism and state that a given person is unable to work for six months, ten months or a year and that it can be reviewed after a year.

If the resources were put in at that stage the Department probably would not have as many people going back again and again making appeals and so on in the system. Moreover, the Department would not need extra people as medical assessors at the end of the day. Perhaps that could be looked at. The Minister of State is bringing in this legislation now but perhaps that could be looked at in future. Certainly, I will not support the amendment on that basis.