Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if every person who is the subject of a disability allowance review is now being seen by a Department medical assessor before a decision is taken on their case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47349/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Applications for disability 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. In considering the medical evidence at desk, where circumstances dictate, it is always open to the Medical Assessors to call a customer for an in-person assessment. Where appropriate and taking all available evidence into account, a Deciding Officer may revise a decision to disallow a claimant or alternatively the new medical evidence is referred to a Medical Assessor 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 customer is also informed of their right of appeal.