John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This shambolic situation has been going on since August. Thousands of our citizens, some of whom are the sickest in the State, have received reduced payments or no payments whatsoever. It has not only had an impact on people financially, it has put them in precarious situations. They have been forced into debt and have had to face serious issues with tenancies because of being unable to pay rent. I welcome that the Minister has broken her silence on this matter and has issued some statements recently. In one on Friday, she said that over the weekend, if not on Friday, everyone entitled to the illness benefit would receive it. She was proved incorrect yesterday. Many people are still contacting me to say that they have not received a penny. We need an update on how many people have not received payments. More importantly, when will those people receive payment? Many people who have received reduced payments since August are also owed substantial sums of money. When will those people receive the money to which they are entitled?

See this speech in context