Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have concerns with regard to the criteria for assessing eligibility. We are concerned that in moving to a situation where eligibility is assessed based on the consumer price index and an assessment of gross limit incomes and all that flows from that, with no referral back for parliamentary scrutiny, this will undermine the ability of this Chamber to hold the Department to account with regard to reductions in entitlements. This is quite a move forward from where we are. We will now have a situation where the income assessment is based on something else completely as opposed to on decisions which would be accountable in this Chamber. While I trust in the humanity of the Minister of State and know he will look at these issues sympathetically, I feel there should be a mechanism in place whereby reductions in entitlement and eligibility can only be brought about through accountability to the Oireachtas.

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