Mr. R?n?n Hession:

We are looking at that. In jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland, there are good examples of integration between the welfare and health systems in terms of occupational health. People’s position on the payment is linked with an overall wraparound involving physio and other occupational treatments. There are thing we can learn from that. The straw man for disability is looking at the structure of long-term payments, but also anomalies and flow through. We have a very low exit from disability payments. Some of that is around the issues the Cathaoirleach raised and some is around concerns about secondary benefits and lack of opportunity.

We will look at that scenario rather than the specific condition. Illness benefit does not work on the basis of different treatment for different conditions. If the condition is affecting a person’s ability to work, that is the gateway to the scheme. I understand the point the Cathaoirleach is making. Since our previous engagement, I have asked the team to tease that out and look at how we might address it.