Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The effect of the Deputy's amendment would be to preclude the board from taking account of an applicant's financial circumstances when determining its criteria. The whole purpose of the fund which is not a large sum of money is to allow it to target its resources to meet the needs of former residents. The section requires the board to have regard to the need to take account of the individual circumstances, including the personal and financial circumstances, of applicants when determining its criteria for making decisions on entitlements under the fund. As drafted, it gives the board considerable latitude in setting its criteria which may be revised by it over time. Removing its power to have regard to applicants' financial circumstances when determining its criteria would not allow it to target its resources at those most in need.

I acknowledge the opinion expressed by the Deputy on Committee Stage that it will almost certainly be the case that the overwhelming majority of applicants to the fund will have modest means. This provision is not intended as a way of preventing vulnerable persons from benefiting from the supports that will be available under the fund. I also stress that it is not intended to introduce a general means test application to the fund. Its purpose is to enable the board to have regard, among other things, to the financial circumstances of applicants. It will be a matter for the board to have regard to the need to take account of individual financial circumstances when determining its criteria for making decisions. For his reason, the amendment is unnecessary.

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