Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The effect of this amendment would be to preclude the board from taking account of an applicant's financial circumstances when determining its criteria. The whole purpose of the fund is that it should target its resources to meet the needs of former residents. This section requires the board to take account of the individual's circumstances, including personal and financial circumstances, when determining its criteria for making decisions on entitlements under the fund. The section gives the board considerable latitude in setting those criteria, which may be revised over time by the board itself. Removing its power to have regard to applicants' financial circumstances when determining its criteria would prevent the board from targeting its resources at those most in need.

There is a general expectation that the majority of applicants to the fund will have modest means. I assure the House that this provision is certainly not intended as a way of preventing persons who are in need from benefiting from the supports that will be available from the fund. Furthermore, it is not intended to introduce a general means test application to the fund. Rather, it will be a matter for the fund itself to have regard to the need to take account of individuals' financial circumstances when determining the criteria for its decisions. Therefore, I cannot accept the amendment.