Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In August last, my Department introduced a new claim form and medical certificate to replace the previous forms used for certification of the Department’s Illness and Injury Benefit schemes. This change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department which is aimed at improving the certification process and at making claim and payment procedures more efficient for everyone involved – GPs, patients and the Department.

The Department has a contract with GPs on the DEASP panel in respect of medical certification for Illness and Injury Benefit and we wrote to just under 3,500 contracting GPs in July setting out the changes. We will continue to communicate with all panel holders as the new process beds in.

In addition, the Department consulted with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) - a longstanding representative body with a broad range of GPs in its membership. The Department will continue to consult with the IMO under the Framework Agreement on a range of issues, including e-certification, closed certification and changes to forms.

The IMO is the representative GP body which is affiliated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and has been for many years. The Department will continue to hold substantive discussions with the IMO and I would hope they will conclude over the coming weeks.

The Department wants to reassure all customers that they will be paid the correct amount of Illness Benefit up to the end of their certified illness, as certified by their GP. No customer will lose out on their payments. Any customer with an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy