Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for affording me the opportunity to raise this sensitive issue in the House. This matter relates to a constituent who was in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and rent support because she is on the housing list. She was also working the maximum hours allowed in part-time employment. This was satisfactory until last February when her health deteriorated and, on receiving a diagnosis which alarmed her, she went to visit her relatives in her homeland.

On her return she was questioned about her circumstances. Her social welfare payments were ceased. Following numerous questions I raised with the relevant section in the Department of Social Protection and parliamentary questions to the then Minister, I was given to understand that her rent would be restored and that three months' rent, including all arrears, would be paid at the same time. That did not happen. Only two months' arrears were paid. She continued to try to recover the payments that had been discontinued. This lady's health is not good. She paid numerous visits to the doctor. There is a doctor's letter on file setting out her vulnerability.

This situation has dragged on for five months, which is unacceptable. The usual appeals process was provided for but the appeal has not taken place. There is a long waiting list. Meanwhile, the lady in question has no payment, a fact of which her landlord has grown tired. The relationship between herself and the landlord has now broken down and a notice to quit has been issued. She will become homeless in the next few days and certainly by the end of the week.

Given the number of times I have raised the issue, the urgency of the situation, the reasonable explanation provided by the woman and the nature of her family circumstances, this is not acceptable. I am very grateful to the Minister of State for coming to the House and I realise the Minister was unable to attend. I have been a long time in the House and a long time dealing with social welfare queries. I even spent a bit of time in the Department. However, I have never come across a situation in which there was such a determination to punish an individual to the extent of making it virtually impossible for that individual to exist. I await the reply. I hope sincerely to hear that the matter has been resolved. Incidentally, I received responses from one or two people who were helpful, one of whom is making a valiant effort to rectify the matter. In the same way I obviously was, however, that person is also being stonewalled. I await the result.

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