Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)

Is it mandatory to give 12 months' notification or is there some room for discretion? This is where the provision could fall down because people may not know about its existence. I know that notification cannot be open-ended but is there room for discretion? I hope Department officials treat such cases with a measure of discretion. I know that the 12-month notification rule exists because the Department is attempting to gather information. This woman's case is particularly sad and I urge officials to treat it with whatever discretion is available.

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