Ms Dara Breathnach:

We agree 100%. We do not want it to be the case that somebody looks at it and thinks that even though it is only however many hundred or thousand euro, they cannot do it. This should be something that a person can make their way through themselves. We will be providing very clear information. We have been working with our colleagues in the Department of Social Protection about what the process will look like. We will be looking at a form that is to be submitted. Applicants will need to make an initial application to their employer and if the employer does not respond or make the payment after a certain period of time and we are looking at eight weeks, they should send that together with the form and statutory declaration to the Department of Social Protection. From the applicant’s perspective that should be pretty much a one-and-done scenario. There will be a lot behind it and as the Deputy can see, the provisions are really detailed. However the employee should not have to see them. Some people may choose to look for legal representation but we do not think they should have to.