Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of medical assessors currently employed by her Department; the number employed in the past five years; if she will provide an update on her plans in respect of same; if she will provide a breakdown by scheme for a first decision on an application for medical assessment; and the same with respect to appeals. [30910/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Please see below, table showing the numbers of Medical Assessors within the Department in the last 5 years. Fluctuations in these numbers within this period can be attributed to retirements/resignations and also to the numbers actually recruited. There is a current cadre of 25 Medical Assessors plus the Chief Medical Officer and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

In recent years, the Department has made significant efforts to recruit Medical Assessors. DSP, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), have completed the latest MA recruitment competition and the last appointments from this panel are being made. It is planned to conduct a further recruitment competition with PAS. Furthermore, DSP has advertised on the government procurement website for the engagement of a suitable agency for the provision of agency MAs to supplement the DSP MA cadre. Closing date for receipt of tenders is 23 September 2015.

Please also see below tables showing the numbers of medical opinions provided by Medical Assessors to Deciding Officers on applications and appeals for the various Department schemes within the same 5 year period. The number of medical opinions provided varies, depending on the availability of Medical Assessors and on the amount of medical evidence to be assessed.

Number of Medical Assessors in September in Years 2011-2015