Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if computerised data on the medical conditions giving rise to claims for disability allowance are stored, as recommended by the value-for money-review of the scheme, in order to better inform the planning and delivery of employment and training supports; and if so, the main diagnosis types associated with claims, and any relevant trends identifiable from the data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14264/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department collects information from a claimant’s medical practitioner on the nature of the illness giving rise to the claim for disability allowance (DA) in order to make a formal decision on entitlement. This information at present is not readily accessible to enable the Department to make use of that data to identify trends etc. However, the Department is pursuing relevant options in this regard.

In addition, the Department is currently planning to ask those in receipt of DA to supply information relating to educational attainment levels, employment history etc. This exercise will get underway in the latter half of this year. This information will better inform the planning and delivery of employment and training supports.