494. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available when a person cannot afford the necessary GP fees to fulfil criteria for a given social welfare payment when the person does not qualify for a medical card or GP-visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47657/26]

My Department is committed to reducing any administrative, financial and any other barriers that may prevent people from accessing their social protection entitlements.

It is important to note, the Department does not require applicants to obtain private assessments or specialist medical reports to submit an application for a social protection payment. All available evidence submitted as part of the application is considered. In addition, the Department funds GPs to complete the medical portion of relevant social welfare application forms.

Typically, a person claims an illness or disability benefit having attended a GP or other medical practitioner. The fees paid by the Department are not intended to cover these consultation fees, they are intended to remunerate the work of the GP/medical practitioner in completing the report form for the Department. However, where a person has a medical card or the child is under 8 years of age, the general consultation fee should be covered by the medical or GP visit card.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. In considering an Additional Needs Payment application, the Community Welfare Officer in addition to the means considers any alternatives available to the customer, including supports and services offered by the Health Service Executive. Additional Needs Payments are not generally intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency.

I have advised the Deputy that I am happy to engage further on this matter and to work towards minimising the burden on those seeking to access the department’s services.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.