Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 584: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of instances whereby disability benefit, other illness benefits or allowances have been terminated on medical grounds, without a medical examination despite the existence of compelling medical evidence to the contrary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12447/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy refers to illness benefits and allowances which is taken to mean the Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension schemes. Where eligibility on medical grounds for any of these schemes is being reviewed, the case is referred to the Department's Medical Review and Assessment Service to be examined by a Departmental Medical Assessor.

In the first instance, cases are reviewed by a Medical Assessor by way of examination of the papers and various reports submitted. Following this review, should any question arise as to continued eligibility, the customer will be asked to attend for medical examination. No Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension cases are terminated without a medical assessment by a departmental Medical Assessor.