Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I did not table the question to address the elderly man's case. The person about whom I tabled it made clear that she was returning to Ireland to go to college having been away for three years. It was only when she pointed out the fact that EU guidelines were in place that she was told she was entitled to the payment. There is an anomaly in this regard and perhaps the Minister can discuss this with the Minister for Education and Skills. There seem to be different rules. If one is claiming welfare when one returns to Ireland, the HRC applies but if one wants to go to college on return to avail of the fees regime as opposed to being treated as someone from outside the EU, one must prove that one is ordinarily resident in the State. Why the difference?

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