Nolan challenges Dept of Communities and Capita - the people behind the payments – with testimonies brought to the Nolan Show

Over the last few weeks we have been hearing some really damning stories about the Personal Independent Payment assessment. We heard from Aisling, her 16 year old son Pearse is severely disabled requiring 24 hour care. He has cerebral palsy, a learning disability, he takes seizures, he can't walk, he is non-verbal, and he is peg fed through a tube. When he was assessed he received 1 out of 8 for administering his medication and 2 out of 10 for eating and drinking. Then there was John McMullan, his son Declan has locked in syndrome, despite being unable to move, talk or eat and requiring 24 hour care Declan was scored 2 out of 8 for managing his treatments. 6 out of 8 for eating and drinking when he was assessed by a PIP assessor. And then Lewis Nickell who has Tourette's Syndrome. That means he has physical tics and uncontrollable swearing but was scored 0 for 'mixing with other people' and 0 points for 'communicating during his PIP assessment. After our continuing coverage an interview was arranged with Dr. Ian Gargan Chief Medical Officer of Capita and Dr Shah Faisal medical Direct for Great Britain Capita who both flew in from England for us. Stephen spoke with them along with Colum Boyle Deputy Secretary for the Department of Communities.