Dr. Joanne McCarthy:

If we are to be honest, however, a simplistic focus on the medical eligibility criteria alone without a wider review of the disability and illness social protection scheme in general may be limiting. We have a national disability strategy to protect and ensure that people with disabilities have access to appropriate income. We have a Department that states it will ensure its systems of payment will support people to participate, and that includes back-to-work supports. If we are to ensure that social welfare payments are part of those supports for people with disabilities, we must ensure also that we review not only the eligibility criteria but also the wider schemes.