Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We need assurances that the design of any top-up or two-tier process to be introduced is done in such a way as to minimise the hassle for ordinary people.

Low and middle-income families could be faced with cumbersome and stressful administrative processes. It might be difficult for people to apply for top-up payments. If problems occur, social welfare inspectors will be involved. Even with the current system there are long waiting lists and an appeal process that takes considerably longer than acceptable. This will add to all of that pressure on the Department and its appeal system, which will not be beneficial for the people we are targeting to benefit from this.