Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will take that as a compliment. The Deputy's proposal would have unintended consequences. If Tusla and the Department of Education and Skills come to the Department of Social Protection with a viable scheme, it will be looked at. We are putting in place new infrastructure for appeals mechanisms. On Deputy's point about Jenny's family losing their entitlement to child benefit after she had missed 40 days at school, families who badly need the payment would, if they were to lose it, have to enter an appeals mechanism to have it reinstated. We have made significant changes in the Department in the past five years to tighten mechanisms so as to ensure those entitled to the payment receive it. The vast majority are so entitled, but we have a responsibility to ensure those claiming the payment are entitled to receive it. The Deputy will have heard the significant announcements made in that regard. As I said, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

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