Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is off-putting. We all come across people who do not apply or appeal because the forms are like an essay. If it is a case that you can come back after the 180-day period, I do not see the need for the 180 days. I have a feeling it is not as straightforward as that and it would be like a new application and starting from scratch. That is going to put people off. I think there is a phrase about not being able to sign away your rights. If somebody is deemed eligible for this scheme, then they are eligible. It should not matter whether they apply now, in a year, six months, two years or whenever. That brings me back to the five years, which I was suspicious of. I think that is why that was put in place.

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