Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her reply. The reason I tabled this question is a number of my constituents have had their cases reviewed even though their circumstances have not changed. In one case a child with Down's syndrome - circumstances which unfortunately are not going to change - had been assessed two years previously and payment was going to be reduced from 31 January. An appeal process would have taken 14 months. My point is that no review process exists between an application being turned down and an appeal process and potentially there could be a wait of 14 months for payment although the circumstances would not have changed. This seems very unfair.

A number of cases have come to light in recent weeks and a review process should be put in place for circumstances which will not change. I agree with reviewing cases where circumstances can change and improve but payments for children assessed two years previously whose circumstances will not change for a considerable period of time or perhaps never should not be cut.

See this speech in context