195. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the level of awareness that the disability allowance deciding officers and appeal officers have in respect of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; the level of training they have received on the condition and its effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4931/25]

Dara Calleary, Minister for Social Protection: Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency condition.

Assessments of medical eligibility for Disability Allowance is based on medical reports and other evidence supplied by the applicant and the applicant’s treating physician. In line with Social Welfare legislation, it is a deciding officer (DO) who decides upon any and all questions in relation to a person’s eligibility for DA. In arriving at his or her decision, a DO will review all evidence available to him or her, including that provided by the person’s own doctor. He or she will also have regard to the opinion of the Department’s medical assessor. The Department’s medical assessors are fully qualified medical practitioners who have experience and specialist training/qualifications in occupational medicine as well as in human disability evaluation.

Medical assessors are fully qualified and experienced practitioners who provide an opinion for the guidance of the Department's Deciding Officers. They must have at least three years' satisfactory experience in the practice of medicine since registration. In fact, many of the Medical assessors have specialist post-graduate qualifications and all have received training in disability evaluation and the operation of the Department's schemes. Medical assessors have an ongoing commitment to continuing medical education to ensure that standards are maintained and enhanced.

Where a decision is appealed, an Appeals Officer makes a decision, taking account of all of the evidence presented. This includes medical evidence, on the impact of a person’s illness/disability; on their capability for work; on whether a person is substantially restricted within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts from taking up full time employment; on whether a person requires full time care and attention; or, in the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, on whether the child being cared for requires significantly more care than other children of the same age

Training is provided on an ongoing basis to Appeals Officers on a broad range of issues of relevance to their role. In this context, case conferences are held regularly, which allow the salient features of particular cases to be presented and discussed by Appeals Officers. In addition, Appeals Officer conferences, which are convened twice yearly, provide an opportunity to consider broader issues with a view to ensuring consistency in the manner in which appeals are determined.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.