Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point about child benefit, for example, if a parent in direct provision feels that child benefit should be available to their child, he or she would appeal that to the Department and the Department would say that it is not available under legislation. He or she might appeal it to the social welfare appeals office and the Department would again say that it is not available under legislation. He or she cannot then make a complaint to the Ombudsman whereas an ordinary citizen who may be denied child benefit for a similar reason can appeal it to initially the appeals officer in the Intreo office and the social welfare appeals office. If he or she is still not happy, he or she can go that extra step. I want to clarify if there is a difference between the way we treat people in direct provision and the way we treat citizens.