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

On the same issue, the reason I referred to other Departments and State agencies is that this has happened previously. As Deputy Colreavy has rightly pointed out, a major issue of concern was the situation for returning Irish citizens who were unable to qualify for social welfare payments because of the guidelines laid down and interpreted by the Department of Social Protection and its officials. The Minister may issue guidelines to the Health Service Executive and persons appointed or designated by him or her under section 41(1) to assist those persons in making decisions or determining appeals as to whether a person is ordinarily resident in the State for the purposes of sections 45, 45A, 46, 58 or 58A. Difficulties have arisen for people who have left the country to work abroad, who, when they return - after many years of making contributions in the State - find they are unable to access the most basic social welfare payments and may have problems qualifying for medical cards. We are being asked to trust the system without the opportunity to scrutinise the guidelines and regulations. This is another area that is vague with regard to the powers of the Minister. Are criteria in place with regard to qualification for social welfare payments, medical cards and other State supports?

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