Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I have always been opposed to the idea of a mandatory deduction of rent at source to deal with arrears. However, if it was a very serious case where an eviction was taking place and appropriate warnings and arbitration had been provided for and exhausted, taking a percentage from a social welfare payment would be an option. It should be a last resort given that people are struggling and there are many reasons they do not pay their rent and find themselves in serious trouble at the last minute. The principle of the State taking money from people's wages or social welfare payments is wrong. It is something I will be looking at in a further amendment.