Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to work with the Deputies on this amendment. The new legislation provision mirrors section 24 of the principal Act, in terms of notification of material change in circumstance of persons provided with financial support. In this section, as Deputy Naugten said, the time span allowed is ten working days, which is two weeks. This section has not caused any problems for the HSE when operating the scheme and the time span of ten days is consistently used throughout the Act, at the period in which notifications are made to the executive of changes in circumstances of an individual in care or a care representative.

I used the same example as Deputy Naughten, in that if some tragic accident were to happen to the successor, this applies in the circumstances of the third party who is the successor and, as such, there may be additional delays in providing information to the executive.

I accept the principle and I will bring an amendment on Report Stage which lengthens this notification period to 20 working days, which is one month. If Deputy Naughten is happy to accept that, we will bring an amendment on Report Stage. I see exactly where Deputy Naughten is coming from and I had the exact same worries myself, with regard to a tragic accident. Trying to inform the executive and put your ducks in a row within two working weeks is too short. It is still one month but it is four working weeks, so if Deputy Naughten is happy for us to bring the amendment on Report Stage, that would state 20 working days. Can Deputy Naughten accept that? I fully accept the principle of what he seeks to do.