Ms Gabi Muntean:

I came to Ireland in 2000. In 2007 I applied for child benefit. I was told I was not habitually resident in Ireland. I had been living in Ireland since 2000. My son and my husband were living with me and I was engaged in a lot of voluntary work. Finally, in 2007, after seven years living in Ireland, I received notice that I was regarded as habitually resident.

I would like the committee to understand how difficult it was for me. My family and I were very insecure because our application was pending. We were not sure if we would be eligible for supplementary welfare allowance from week to week. We were extremely lucky to receive the payment but this is no longer available to others. One week we received no payment and I was terrified. I thought I would be unable to survive in Ireland and I ended up in hospital. It is very hard to go through this experience. One of the biggest worries was that I would be refused child benefit. My son was going to school and I could not afford to buy his uniform, his books or his lunch. I have only one child but many Roma families have three, four, five or seven children. Even with one child I find it very difficult to cope. I ask the committee to imagine how difficult it is for larger families with lots of children. They often cannot cope. Sometimes they are unable to send their children to school. In some cases, parents will send two or three children to school and keep the rest at home. They need support to at least send the children to school.

Some Roma have no income and they are forced to beg. Begging is not our culture. If they do not beg they will not be able to eat. Children are living in extreme poverty and this is of concern to social workers who take the children away from their families in some cases.

People should not be ignored just because they beg. People have nothing and they have no entitlements. They need to be given support. We should not send people back to places where they may be in danger. Roma need to be supported to find employment. Some Roma are not well educated. They may be illiterate and unable to speak fluent English. These people need to be supported.