Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have noticed something about application forms across the board. In the medical section, there may be 12 separate queries where an applicant must tick "Mild", "Moderate", "Severe" or "Profound". Eleven of the 12 relate to physical difficulties, for example, whether someone can walk, climb a stairs and so on, and many people who have mental illnesses feel that the forms are weighted in favour of physical illnesses.

There is very little space for people with severe depression or who are suicidal. The form does not adequately capture the reality for a lot of applicants. They might be able to run up and down the stairs but the doctor ticks just one section for mental health.