Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a specific question for the Minister on section 1(4). We have been focusing on the issue of the coming into operation of section 13. Section 1(4) provides for sections 15, 16 and 17 coming into operation on different days as the Minister may order. Given what we have been talking about and the importance of that issue, what day does the Minister envisage those sections will be commenced and would there be different commencement dates for section 13 which deals with the issue of the recovery of overpayments, as against the other sections which deal with very different matters?

I thought the Minister's answer to Senator Mooney's question was very comprehensive. As my party's justice spokesperson, I would like us to have a debate in this House on the particular issue the Senator raised on a different day concerning the issue of prosecutions for fraud in this area. That is something that has changed, developed and we have seen a great increase in the number of prosecutions recently. I would like to Minister to reply specifically on the commencement dates for the sections referred to in section 1(4).