Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Would it not have been a legitimate approach in this year to treat late applications differently from those who applied before 29 April? We have a scenario where people who applied after 29 April, eligible and concessionary, have been accommodated ahead of those who applied before 29 April. I think that would have been a fair approach and I know there are specific eligibility criteria. Was that an option the Minister considered? Was it ruled out and, if so, why was it ruled out?