Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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We had a very long debate last year on this. We have gone to the market and are constantly trying to recruit. The Department is determined and committed to keeping the number of medical assessors at 25, but we are finding it increasingly difficult to fill those positions. When there is a panel and we go to the panel to offer the position, it is not taken up. There is a problem. From last year we went out seeking agencies and we have not yet been able to fill the number of medical assessor posts we would like to have. It is envisaged as a desk-bound assessment, so the assessor would not have clients coming in and would not be doing medical assessments on them. That would still be the responsibility of a doctor. I am sure the Deputy remembers, from last year, that the Department's deciding officer is the person who makes the determination on that. It is envisaged that these would be occupational nurses, who would be suitably qualified and would act as a triage, similar to what happens in our emergency departments. I hope that reassures the Deputy. It is an effort to give a better and a quicker service to our clients, who are applying for their various entitlements. It is an effort to improve the scheme and to allow flexibility within the Department by using suitably qualified people to give their opinion to the deciding officer.