Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On section 6, the two matters are related. One comes into effect on 1 January and the other commences on 1 June. I understand that 1 June is when the payment is made and 1 May marks the six months requirement prior to it. In some ways it would have made no difference if the Minister had left the date as 1 June for when it comes into effect, because the existing payment is transferring straight in. Again, at some point in the future, we must look at the dates that are set. As with the figures, the more dates that are provided, the more confusing it gets. It is bad enough for us who are dealing with it on a daily basis, but many people might have some idea about the social welfare system but do not fully understand it and get caught out by this and that date.

To qualify for the respite care grant, one must have been caring from 1 January until 1 June. Sometimes people postpone applying. They might be caring for a parent and postpone applying for it, thinking they will wait until after Christmas. It is too late if one leaves it too long into January. One will not get one's full benefits. It is not for the sake of the monetary benefit. As Deputy Catherine Byrne said, it might be for a clothes dryer, heating or something else and they should be entitled to it.

I do not oppose the section but am just pointing to the anomaly with dates.