Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Question No. 98 relates to the same matter which the Minister has answered. Clearly, there has been an inordinate delay in the preparation of this and we do not yet have the full story as to why it has been delayed. The best promise we now have is that it will be ready towards the end of January next year.

Can the Minister confirm that the extraordinarily complex and highly bureaucratic application form which is a Kafkaesque deterrence to people attempting to apply for the grant, will be included as part and parcel of the reform of this process? I welcome what the Minister stated about the revised timetable, but can she indicate that the application form, which is part and parcel of the hurdle applicants must overcome, will be simplified and that the revision of same will form part of the debate in this House when the Bill eventually comes before us in the new year?

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