Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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512. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a specialist consultant report is required in addition to a letter from a general practitioner which clearly outlines a permanent incapability to work in the context of deciding whether a person is permanently incapable of work; if a specialist consultant report carries more weight than a report by a general practitioner when deciding if an applicant is permanently incapable of work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24687/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In general, for applications to the illness & disability schemes which require assessment of capacity for work, all efforts are made by my medical review and assessment service, to provide decisions based on submitted information from the customer and medical reports by her/his general practitioner.

In cases where medical opinion cannot be established based on the general practitioner’s report and where the customer is receiving treatment by a specialist or consultant, their report provides further clarity and objectivity which is helpful in making informed decisions regarding permanent incapacity for work.

The Medical Review and Assessment Service does not seek a specialist/consultant report where it is clear to the service that the condition concerned results in severe mental or physical restrictions; however, there are many chronic conditions which are amenable to stabilisation or improvement with specialist care and may enhance the capacity for return to suitable work.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.