John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. I would like to see a timeframe associated with it because it is left open-ended. The Minister's predecessors promised reports and we are still waiting for them. It is unfortunate that was not built into the amendment. Cutting the bereavement grant was one of the cruellest cuts made by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in government. I am sure the Minister has heard stories of people trying to bury a loved one and, without access to this grant, are left at the mercy of the community welfare officer. People tell me there is considerable discrepancy between different community welfare officers. They do not adhere to the same criteria in their decision-making. There are many issues there.

I support the amendment. I am not sure if anything can be done at this stage to define a timeframe for delivery of the report. It is having huge impact on people who need it. It places an additional burden on other organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul where many people end up having to go. In other cases people have to resort to loan sharks to help bury their loved ones, which is a disgrace.