Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have had many debates in this House on allowances, including the carer's allowance, family income supplement and domiciliary care allowance. Deputies O’Dea and Ó Snodaigh, in particular, have raised these, and Deputy Catherine Murphy herself had questions on the domiciliary care allowance. The whole allowance system has been transformed dramatically. In fairness to the staff of the Department, they have worked very hard to change the whole experience of people. I am not saying some people do not experience problems.

I am always advising people, particularly women who are for some reason out of the labour force, to sign for credits, if appropriate, because, as the Deputy says, it is very important in maintaining entitlements. I would be very surprised if any social welfare staff actually suggested to somebody that signing the credits was not relevant. One would think that the importance of signing for credits would be one of the first things people would know about the social welfare system.

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