Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Is it not the case that approximately 17,000 Irish citizens, including religious missionaries, have been refused welfare benefits due to the habitual residence condition which was introduced in 2004 to deal with welfare tourism? In some instances, the restrictions have been applied inconsistently by the Department. What is the position of Irish people who were resident in the United States? If people come home to take care of their elderly parents they must provide the Department with some type of evidence that they have severed their links with the United States, for example, proof of having closed a bank account or terminated their tenancy. This is extremely difficult for Irish people who live illegally in the United States. Since they are not legally there, they do not have much documentation to provide in the first place. Not only are they being discriminated against in the United States, but they are now being discriminated against in Ireland.

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