Calls for swift action in illness benefits row

The Fórsa trade union has joined calls for a swift resolution to a row over certification of illness benefits which has meant an unknown number of people having their payments delayed.

It emerged that a dispute between GPs, who certify illness and injury benefit, and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection had resulted in a payments backlog, which the department said should be overcome by midweek.

It centres on the department introducing new forms in relation to injury and illness benefit and which GPs are required to fill out. The department intends to bring in an electronic format next year, but, in the meantime, introduced a new paper version.

The department said some GPs were persisting with older forms and that this could not continue. It apologised to customers whose payments have been delayed.

It said the changes were discussed with the Irish Medical Organisation in advance and that the new system is working efficiently. It said: “The department can confirm that some GPs have continued to use the old forms after the changeover date. However, the department will not be in a position to accept the old forms indefinitely.

Payment delays will unfortunately continue for our customers where old forms are used by GPs for certification and these delays are entirely avoidable and unnecessary.

Dr Padraig McGarry, chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP committee, rejected claims that any delay in payments reaching patients is down to GPs not using new forms.

Speaking on Today with Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ radio, Dr McGarry said: “I think the problem has been the department rushed out the new forms without sufficient time for communication with GPs.”

The National Association of General Practitioners went further, claiming the department’s assertions regarding GPs using older forms was “merely a tactic to bully GPs into changing work practice without mediation or negotiation”.

It said it received written agreement from the department confirming entry into a process of mediation on August 17. It claimed that on August 23, however, the department withdrew its agreement to mediation without notice or explanation.

Chris Goodey of the National Association of General Practitioners said as well as additional workload there were data protection concerns around the new system. He said the group is “concerned that there are as yet undefined ulterior motives in the department’s secretive rush to install new software without consultation or elaboration of its purpose”.

The Irish Medical Organisation is to meet the department today to discuss the issue.

Fórsa called for urgent action to resolve delays to illness benefit payments.

Union official Des Fagan said the frustration of applicants, some waiting 90 minutes to have calls dealt with, is impacting on members.

“Unfortunately this has led to our members being subject to aggressive and abusive calls,” said Mr Fagan.