Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To give another example, one that I raised with the Minister previously, namely, that a small cohort of children receive compensation from the Health Service Executive on their 18th birthday because the HSE failed in its responsibility to protect them while they were minors. In such circumstances, if the moneys are due it is to compensate the young people and I hope the money would be used to assist with their education or to provide necessary psychological support. It should not be used for the purpose outlined or should not be the primary source of funding it. I hope the Minister will come back on Report Stage to deal with the broader issue I raised with her privately and in the House, namely, that the payments in question – there are only a handful of them – should be excluded from the social welfare calculation in the same way as compensation payments made to women under the Magdalen laundries redress scheme. It is an anomaly and I call on the Minister to deal with it as a matter of urgency.

Sadly, I cannot table an amendment because it would result in a cost to the Exchequer and, accordingly, the amendment would be ruled out of order, as has happened in the past. If we are serious about recognising abuse and where the State has ignored its responsibilities today, never mind what went on historically, then surely those who are being neglected today where that has been acknowledged by the State should be treated in a similar manner to those who receive payments for historical abuse.