David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for making that commitment. If he brought the payment as far as the end of October, it would be a natural full-stop in the time limit. It is not that much further on but it would give people the extra time because September is such a busy month in school — I spent long enough at the chalk board to know that parents are under pressure and do not think about these things until it is too late and the community welfare officers' hands are tied. It is a shame that the money is there when people do not know about it.

I thank the Minister for the other information about the NESC.

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