Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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408. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department employs medical assessors with specialist knowledge in areas such as occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35810/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Medical Assessors are fully qualified and experienced practitioners who provide independent, informed opinions on applications to the illness, disability & caring schemes, for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers.

At the time of recruitment, they must have at least three years satisfactory experience in the practice of medicine since registration.

Many of the Medical Assessors have specialist post-graduate qualifications, knowledge, or training such as Psychiatry, Rheumatology, Surgery, Occupational Medicine, Public Health, Anaesthesiology & General Practice et cetera and all have received structured training in disability evaluation and the operation of the Department's schemes.

The Medical Assessors have an ongoing commitment to continuing medical education to ensure that standards are maintained and enhanced.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.