Written answers
Thursday, 28 November 2019
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Illness Benefit Applications
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons with fibromyalgia can no longer access protocol 6 on the online list of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49590/19]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the quality of assessment carried out on the cohort of clients with Fibromyalgia is maintained to a high professional level and that there has been no diminishing of eligibility criteria for this illness.
The Department’s protocols were developed with the primary intention of assisting Medical Assessors in carrying out their work. As protocols are in place solely for the use of medical assessors, I am advised that the Chief Medical Officer deemed it not necessary for them to be available online.
Should the Deputy have a particular case in mind, or have a specific query in relation to Protocol no 06 MSS (Musculoskeletal System) which covers fibromyalgia, I would be happy to have this clarified for him without delay.
I hope this answers the question for the Deputy.
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