Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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145. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person seeks a review of their entitlement to a social welfare payment on medical grounds if the review is examined by a medical assessor in the medical assessment unit or alternatively within the review section of the relevant department; the circumstances in which a review maybe conducted without the input of a medical assessor; the step by step process a review on medical grounds goes through before a decision is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32668/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Applications for schemes such as disability allowance, invalidity pension and carers allowance are normally medically assessed at desk by one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who assesses the available medical evidence with reference to evidence based protocols and guidelines. The Medical Assessor then presents his/her medical opinion to a Deciding Officer, who makes a decision on the basis of the overall scheme rules, taking account of the opinion of the Medical Assessor. Customers are informed in writing of all decisions and also informed of their options as a result. Customers are entitled to request a medical review if they submit additional medical evidence in support of their claim. All additional medical evidence received is presented for review to a Medical Assessor following receipt in the Department. Where appropriate and taking all available evidence into account, a Deciding Officer may revise a decision to disallow a claimant or alternative the new medical evidence is referred to a MA who assesses the case in line with evidence based protocols and guidelines, and presents a medical opinion to a Deciding Officer in the scheme area. The Deciding Officer reviews the overall decision based on the medical and non-medical criteria and informs the customer of the decision in writing.

The current medical staffing within my Department comprises the Chief Medical Advisor, Deputy Chief Medical Advisor and 19 Medical Assessors.