Mr. Nick Henderson:

Just to note that this can also affect children. In the case of a child or family who are subject to a deportation order, my understanding is that the medical card can be cut for the child. Also, importantly, the daily expenses allowance both for the parent and the child would cease. This is also in the context of there being no other supports to the family and no child benefit. One point we have made to the Minister and the Department is around voluntary return. As an organisation, we are not against voluntary return. Our concern around the payment that was being touted to people was that this was being floated in front of people while they were still in the process. Voluntary return is a really important part of the process, at the end of the process. Colleagues can correct me if I am wrong but a key issue here is that a person is given notice of an intention to deport and if they do not, within five days, accept that notice, they would remove themselves from the possibility of assisted voluntary return. Somebody has a very short window of time in very pressurised moment to consider their opportunities. Bearing in mind that when somebody receives a deportation order they will receive a lifetime ban from the European Union as well.