Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to reassure the Deputy that when anybody's health and well-being is in danger or their safety is at risk, the departmental officials have discretionary powers to allow them to work outside the normal rules we would have. I know we said we have relaxed rules with regard to rent supplement. I reassure the Deputy that any departmental official dealing with a lady who finds herself in that awful situation, will use whatever is within our gift to ensure we look after them and keep them safe. I say that to reassure the Deputy.

There are some anomalies and in some of the benefits we have introduced for businesses in recent weeks they are quite glaring. An obvious one relates to people who do not pay rates, for example the man or woman in the van who does actually employ other people. The Deputy just outlined a second one. I will relay her concerns to the Minister tomorrow at Cabinet.

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