Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Normally, it requires an agreement from the Department of Social Protection that the condition is likely to last for more than 12 months. That is preliminary to qualification for disability allowance. Disability benefit, however, is different because it draws on the social welfare contribution scheme.

Is there any link or correlation between the incidence and the difficulty in obtaining a payment? I was talking to a person recently who cannot work but is not in receipt of any payment whatsoever. We cannot have a situation where people are just cast aside, particularly those who are health workers. They were on the front line and, when called upon, they gave of their services willingly and readily and stayed to the bitter end. We must determine how we can amend the regulations to take on board their particular situation and try to ensure they are not left penniless or without an income and, as a result, vulnerable to the possible loss of their homes and so forth. I am interested in hearing of such cases from our witnesses if they can provide examples without getting into intimate personal details. We can follow them up.