Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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729. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans in relation to an issue (details supplied); if she will engage with an organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37197/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Department has a contract with the GPs on the DEASP panel in respect of medical certification for illness and injury benefit. Section 1 of that contract states: "I will certify as accurately as possible the specific disease or bodily or mental disablement, if any, which renders such person incapable of work, in such form and containing such particulars as the Minister for Social Protection (hereinafter called “the Minister”) may from time to time require."

As part of its ongoing modernization programme the Department upgraded the illness benefit computer system. Part of that upgrade included redesigning the application form and medical certificate so they could be scanned into the computer system speeding up payments for customers (and GPs).

The Department always endeavours to consult with stakeholders before making changes. On this occasion the Department consulted with the Irish Medical Organization - a longstanding representative body with a broad range of GPs in its membership. In addition, the Department has written to all contracting GPs, setting out the changes involved and will continue to communicate with all panel holders as the new system beds in. I will continue to consult with the IMO under our Framework Agreement on a range of issues including e-certification, closed certification and changes to forms.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.