Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way a medical adviser from her Department came to a conclusion that contradicts that of several medical experts. [32552/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An application for invalidity pension, on behalf of the person concerned, has been assessed by three separate departmental medical assessors, including the Chief Medical Advisor. A medical report from only one consultant cardiologist is on file. This report states that the applicant is not capable of returning to his former employment. To qualify for invalidity pension a person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or be permanently incapable of work. Whilst acknowledging that the cardiologist is of the opinion that the applicant is not capable of returning to his former employment, the departmental medical assessors are of the opinion that he does not satisfy the medical requirements of the invalidity pension scheme, where all categories of work are taken into consideration.