Social Welfare Eligibility
Seanad Éireann — 2023-07-13
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Maria Byrne (FG), Agricultural Panel

I thank the Minister of State. I understand there is a comprehensive review going on. There are many key areas. I welcome the fact that the Minister and the Department have made an awful lot of changes, especially around agricultural supports. Farmers often must have a second job to compensate. I believe those changes have been welcomed. I also acknowledge the changes around disability. However, there are a couple of small areas that always seem to fall through the net. Many people are slightly over the thresholds. I believe there must be a degree of flexibility in assessments of means. I met somebody recently who was only a couple of euro over the thresholds and failed to get support. That person's family is supporting them. I believe there must be a degree of flexibility and I hope such flexibility is brought into this review. I understand the review is coming at the end of the year and I look forward to the report.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2023-07-13/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:09+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-07-13