James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of medical assessors employed by his Department; if he can identify the average number of professional-opinion referrals received; the average time it takes a medical assessor to carry out a professional opinion; the average number of professional opinions completed in a day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31053/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of medical assessors employed by my department is 35 (32 FTE).

The total number of number of referrals received by the department for medical assessments to date in 2025 is 45,850.

The average number of medical opinions processed for 2025 to date is 40,481 and breakdown of weekly opinions process ranges from 1354 to 2179 per week.

The time involved in medical assessments varies depending on a number of factors mainly including but not limited to, type of scheme or benefit applied for, referral type such as first claim or review or appeal, quality and volume of associated medical evidence.

I can assure the deputy, the medical review and assessment section of my department is staffed by experienced and committed medical assessors, who exercise due care and diligence in providing medical opinions.

Hope this clarifies matters for the deputy.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of medical assessors employed by his Department; the number of professional opinion referrals on average that are received; the average time it takes a medical assessor to carry out a professional opinion; the average number of professional opinions completed in a day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31092/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of medical assessors employed by my department is 35 (32 FTE).

The total number of number of referrals received by the department for medical assessments to date in 2025 is 45,850.

The average number of medical opinions processed for 2025 to date is 40,481 and breakdown of weekly opinions process ranges from 1354 to 2179 per week.

The time involved in medical assessments varies depending on a number of factors mainly including but not limited to, type of scheme or benefit applied for, referral type such as first claim or review or appeal, quality and volume of associated medical evidence.

I can assure the deputy, the medical review and assessment section of my department is staffed by experienced and committed medical assessors, who exercise due care and diligence in providing medical opinions.

Hope this clarifies matters for the deputy.