Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The Minister would have to admit that one would want to have many children to make child benefit a pull factor. Does he accept the amount of money given to these children each week deprives them of basic necessities? Surveys have been done on this. Children have been unable to get school uniforms and school shoes, to participate in trips with their classmates and to get proper school lunches because of the amount of money they get under direct provision. Has the Department accurate figures on the number involved?

Is the Minister aware of his chief appeals officer's criticism of the long delays in dealing with asylum appeals? What is his view on the fact that some people, who have faced particularly long delays, have been able to avail of child benefit?

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