Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Minister of State. With all due respect, while the Minister may have discretion to specify the criteria to be applied, she has failed to do so to date. The criteria are very strict. I do not accept the Minister of State's view that the amendment is unnecessary. It would specify the criteria and list the groups or bodies which could provide independent verification of estrangement. We consider the Minister has no intention of listing such bodies or expanding the criteria. SUSI looks for evidence from a social worker employed by the HSE, but many students will not have access to a social worker and have no need for such. If we have a situation where evidence from the Department of Social Protection does not satisfy SUSI on the issue of estrangement, we have a problem. The Minister has failed to address this issue, which is why I will press the amendment.