Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 March 2003

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

I endorse the comments of many Senators on the issue of disability and the apparent contradiction in opinion between medical referees and the consultants and medical practitioners who have been dealing with particular applicants and know they are not fit to resume work. I mentioned a case to the Minister last week, the details of which I shall forward to her. There is a need for equality between medical practitioners, on the one hand, and medical referees, on the other. If a person is able to stand, he or she is considered fit to work, the case is dismissed and he or she is denied the allowance. I ask the Minister to ensure that there are no contradictions between medical referees, people representing the Department of Social and Family Affairs and an applicant's medical practitioners. I also ask her to review the position as soon as possible.

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