Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I join other Senators in calling for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, to come to the House. However, it is not of pensions or savings that I want an account, but social welfare claims. At present, many fraudulent social welfare claims are being discovered and the false claimants lose their claim. We welcome this. However, within the review mechanism many legitimate claimants are demoralised. People making disability claims are being hounded and losing part or all of their legitimate claims. It appears the review is nothing more than a cutback. If the Minister is not already aware of this, what is happening in the system at local level throughout the country should be explained to her. If there are limits in funding at present and if people are to receive restricted or reduced claims, it should be done openly and transparently rather than declaring people's legitimate claims fraudulent. The cutbacks are hurting those in greatest need.