Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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258. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which fibromyalgia is assessed for the purpose of approving or refusing social welfare benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49591/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The assessment of eligibility for medical related schemes such as Fibromyalgia includes detail medical history, the review of supporting medical evidence and in certain schemes an in-person assessment, where appropriate physical and relevant functional assessment is carried out by Medical Assessors of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, depending on the benefit scheme applied for.

After the assessment, the Medical Assessor will express his/her opinion on the case in the format of a medial report (MR1) or in the format of a reasoned narrative as per the scheme.

In all cases a deciding officer of my Department makes a decision in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation including supporting medical evidence supplied by the applicant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.