Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications from staff for transfer, relocation or exchange received in his Department and or other bodies or agencies under his aegis funded by his Department in each of the past three years to date in 2010; the number of approvals; the number of rejections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30776/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Prior to the introduction of the Programme of Decentralisation in May 2004, the names of Clerical Officers and Staff Officers applying for transfers were recorded on departmental transfer lists in accordance with formal protocols agreed between the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) and the Department of Finance. There were no formal protocols for other grades in the civil or public service, however informal transfer lists were maintained.

Following the introduction of the Programme of Decentralisation, the Central Applications Facility (CAF), which is administered by the Public Appointments Service, was established to record transfer applications in respect of all grades, across the civil and public service. When a vacancy falls to be filled by way of transfer, the relevant transfer list is referenced.

Statistics in relation to the various transfer lists are not maintained in such a way as to allow for the provision of the specific details being sought by the Deputy, i.e. number of applications received, approved or rejected in the past three years.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the manner in which decisions by medical assessors in his Department are recorded. [30783/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce regulations to permit persons presenting for interview by medical assessors in his Department to be accompanied by another person of their choice. [30784/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will introduce regulations to provide for the recording of interviews by medical assessors in his Department, with the consent of the interviewees. [30785/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I proposed to take Questions Nos. 298 to 300, inclusive, together.

Medical assessors do not make decisions but rather present medical opinions for consideration by deciding officers who are appointed by the Minister to decide on entitlement to schemes. Medical assessments are carried out either on the basis of medical reports without a personal examination (known as a "desk assessment") or on the basis of medical reports with a personal examination (known as an "in-person assessment"). The opinion of the medical assessor is recorded on file and forwarded to the deciding officer. The attendance of other persons at an assessment, other than a doctor or interpreter (if deemed necessary) is at the discretion of the medical assessor. A personal advocate may attend provided the advocate is a suitably qualified member of a recognised advocate association and has obtained permission in advance from the Department. Advocates may attend only for the case history and discussion part of the assessment but not for the physical examination. There are no plans at present to provide for the recording of interviews by medical assessors.