John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the questions when I have finished putting them in context.

We know the impact the changes have had. and we know approximately 5,200 people are receiving reduced jobseeker's payments. Unfortunately, that motion fell. We know the changes introduced in 2012 have impacted on over 36,000 people, who are now receiving lower payments than they would have received had they retired in 2012. Do the witnesses have any updated figures aside from those dated 2016? I think they say in their statement that it is expected and understandable that the figures would increase. Was that critical research that Age Action carried out sent to the Department and the Minister? If so, was it acknowledged, and did the Minister give any feedback on it?

Age Action puts forward a very important and very simple proposal on the fuel allowance. It would be paid in either one lump payment or two lump payments. I put this very point to the Minister and I do not think he really got it. He could not differentiate between someone in receipt of the State pension and someone on a basic jobseeker's. He said he would not consider the proposal because of the challenges and difficulties it would create. The simple point there is that if someone - for example, a young person - signs on, it is hoped he or she will not be on jobseeker's for too long. The simple thing would be to differentiate perhaps between someone who is 65 and someone who is 66 or older. Whether to issue a one-lump payment or a two-lump payment could be considered. We know the challenges people face if they want to get fills of oil. One cannot pay on a weekly basis; it is an up-front payment.