Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I thank the Minister, Deputy Brennan, and his officials for drafting this legislation. It is important that Acts are consolidated and that a layman's guide is published. As the legislation does not stop here but will be received by a wider audience on conclusion of the parliamentary process, its language should be user friendly and understandable.

One of my constituents suffered severe depression and was urged by his family to seek social welfare payments. Last July, he applied for disability benefit but was refused, after which he applied for disability allowance. The person in question required a great deal of encouragement to conquer his illness, which has affected him for a number of years. His suffering has become more acute since the beginning of this year and, as a result, he has to rely on his family for support. However, his second application was also rejected.

Great courage was required of that individual to visit the social welfare inspector and his doctor, who were not understanding of his disposition, to say the least. I am personally involved in this case, which is now being dealt with by the appeals officer in D'Olier House. It is a sad day when somebody who suffers from such an illness finds the doors of the system closed in his or her face. I have been in contact with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and have received acknowledgements on the matter. The future is bleak for those with this illness but no humane person would allow such a situation to develop. I am aware that the Department is large and deals with many applications but I am concerned that similar difficulties may be inflicted on other people who lack self-confidence.

Thankfully, a medical review of my constituent revealed that he had recovered slightly from his eight months of psychological torment. However, it is unfortunate that, because of bureaucracy, his case was not processed. Checks and balances must exist to ensure that social welfare fraud is investigated and that perpetrators are prosecuted but his case was genuine. I have requested an oral hearing so that I may also attend in order to put forward a plea on behalf of my constituent. From a policy point of view, this situation should not be allowed to recur because it is not at all uplifting for the people concerned.

I thank the Minister for attending the House and his officials for their work on the Bill, which must have required the burning of a lot of midnight oil.