Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that the process for medical reviews of appeals for benefits such as invalidity pension and disability allowance is a desk exercise in which a medical assessor may not have detailed knowledge of the medical conditions of the person seeking the review; and if she will confirm that a person seeking an appeal has the right to access all medical reports used in the appeals process. [33405/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Appeals cases for schemes such as invalidity pension and disability allowance are also normally medically assessed at desk level on the basis of assessment of medical evidence submitted by the customer and with reference to the Department’s evidence based medical guidelines and protocols. However the option is available to assess someone by in person assessment in special circumstances, if considered necessary. Prior to an appeal, the customer is encouraged to submit any fresh medical evidence. All Appeals assessments are carried out by a different Medical Assessor to the one who completed the original medical assessment.

Medical Assessors are fully qualified and experienced medical practitioners who provide an opinion for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers. Their medical assessments conform to the ethical conduct and behaviour guidelines of the Medical Council. Medical Assessors are required to be medical practitioners who are on the general register of medical practitioners while holding an appointment. It is a necessary requirement that, on appointment, they have at least six years satisfactory experience in the practice of medicine since registration. Many of the Medical Assessors have specialist post-graduate qualifications including Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery and General Medicine. All Medical Assessors have received special training in Human Disability Evaluation. The Medical Assessors have an on-going commitment to continuing medical education to ensure that standards are maintained and enhanced.

Any person seeking an appeal is entitled to make a written request for copies of all medical reports pertaining to their own personal records or seek access to this information under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and 2003.