Just over 40 per cent of disability allowance recipients examined by departmental assessors last year were judged "unsuitable" for the allowance, according to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
The Department's doctors examined 6,857 people, of whom 2,840 were found unsuitable. Disability allowance is a means-tested payment formerly administered by the health boards as the Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance. A total of 32,359 people on the PRSI-based disability benefit were assessed. Of these, 7,036 were found fit for work.
