Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his contribution, which was very positive. I should have said it at the outset but this meeting was never meant to worry the section of society that relies on this payment. If we could have found a solution to this issue, we would have. It is because we are conscious of the needs of people and how much they rely on particular grants that we have been so careful about it. The good thing about engaging a person on a short-term contract to examine a scheme is that this is his or her only focus. I think officials and Ministers are pulled this way and that and it is very difficult to devote the necessary time to finding a workable resolution. We have people in mind and, whoever is chosen, this scheme will be his or her single focus. We hope he or she will come up with a solution to this very difficult issue. I am sure the person chosen will look at what happens outside the borders of this country.