Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We very much welcome the scheme for the regularisation of undocumented migrants and their families. I acknowledge the work of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and the advisory committee led by Ms Catherine Day, and all the NGOs that have worked tirelessly to ensure this happened. It will be life-changing for so many people, particularly those who live in the economic shadows of our society and in circumstances of poverty. It is in light of this and the economic vulnerability of those concerned that I ask the Government to go one step further by waiving the fee of €550 for an individual and €700 for a family. It may not seem like a lot of money to us, but it is a huge amount to those who live in the circumstances in question. Since there is a window of only six months in which to avail of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it would be a travesty if a financial barrier were to prevent somebody from doing so. Therefore, I ask the Government to waive the fee.

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