Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for sharing his time with me. I wish to continue from where he left off in talking about numbers. I welcome the opportunity to speak here this evening and I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to do so. I can talk numbers because I come from east Galway. The Brazilian community lives in Gort and there is a total of 526 people. The census reported that. The figures came out last week to show there are 526 undocumented Brazilian people living in east Galway. My contribution will be very parochial for the simple reason that this is my community and I am giving them a voice here this evening.

On 3 July 2017 Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, at a Fáilte garden party in Áras an Úachtarán gave a warm welcome to the new citizens of Ireland.

He says:

Whatever the road that has brought you here, you are part of an important group who have changed our country in remarkable ways, enriched our culture and our communities, and you have enhanced all our lives. 21st century Ireland is a dynamic and cosmopolitan place, an Ireland that embraces the innovation, opportunity and creative energy that cultural diversity brings.

The President's words reflect the sentiments of many people in Gort, County Galway. Gort is nationally recognised as an example of good relations between local people and new immigrants. The contribution they have made to creativity, social capital, the economy and cultural diversity in this community is hugely appreciated. Unfortunately, because many have become undocumented there is uncertainty as to how Gort and the Brazilian community can continue to enrich each other's lives and futures.

As spokesperson for children and youth affairs for Fianna Fáil, on a regular basis at my monthly clinics in Gort I meet with these undocumented people. One of the cases that I have encountered is that of Beatrice. Beatrice is ten years of age. She is undocumented. She is terminally ill. She cannot get a medical card. I am looking for this medical card since the last day the Dáil sat before Christmas last year. The Christmas lights were about to be turned on in Gort when I spoke with the Minister, Deputy Harris, about this medical card. In fairness to him, he did all he could to help me but, regrettably, he could not jump over the hurdle of Beatrice being undocumented. We have tried three times since last Christmas to get the medical card for this child and it is not there.

Beatrice's story is in the report that has been commissioned by Annie Rosario and the Gort Resource Centre. The report states that, for the people who cannot afford to pay for doctors' fees and expensive medicines, delayed diagnosis and treatment have a negative impact on recovery from illnesses. It highlights that one family in our community with a terminally-ill child does not have the means to buy medicine and has no right to a medical card because of her parents' immigrant status.

This year, ten children did their leaving certificate in Gort of whom most of the families had the wrong status on their visa. Those children do not have the opportunity to pursue third level education although they are incredibly bright. Whether it be an apprenticeship or university, why is their opportunity denied? They have attended national and secondary school and have a cohort of friends yet they could not go forward. I also met a lady who was 28 years of age who no longer wanted to work in the kitchen where she was working. She decided she would like to go back and become a beautician. Regrettably, stamp 3 means she cannot have the back to education allowance. Stamp 4 would have meant she could but she is on stamp 3. We have tried the hoops and she cannot jump through them. I am the bearer of bad news in Gort on a monthly basis because no matter what I do for these people, the system is stacked against them.

I welcome what the Minister of State has said this evening. While others might not agree, I welcome the opportunity of a case-by-case approach because I have the cases in Gort. The research is done here. The family resource centre has put in the effort. It has worked closely with the Migrant Rights Council. If the Minister of State wants to undertake a pilot project, I am offering him Gort. I reckon we can overcome some of these obstacles. The Department would be welcome to take Gort and the family resource centre as its opportunity to bring about change.

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