Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the experience was different in the Deputy's local area. In Dublin and many city areas, it was quite difficult for one to access a jobseeker's assistance payment unless one had very detailed accounting records. I assume this could partly be attributed to the sudden and serious nature of the collapse, particularly as it applied to self-employed contractors and subcontractors. The situation is now clarified. People can bring in and use their current details. The rules may have permitted that when the Deputy's party was in power, but the system was not operating in that way. Anyone who knocked on doors during the 2011 election campaign will recall repeatedly coming across families who found it extremely difficult to access these benefits. I am pleased to say the advisory group has acknowledged that nine out of ten people who can qualify for assistance payments are now qualifying for them.

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