John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the call made earlier in the week by Senator Cullinane for a debate on poverty. When one comes to work each morning, one is struck by the number of people begging and each evening one is confronted by many individuals seeking money. In addition, every morning one can see many people lying in doorways. I have raised this matter in the Chamber on previous occasions. It is outrageous that people should be obliged to sleep rough. I have heard radio interviews in which people who are self-employed are claiming to be in poverty. During the Seanad election campaign in 2011, I campaigned on the basis that the self-employed should be catered for and should be eligible for jobseeker's benefit. The individuals I have heard speak on radio have indicated that they are self-employed, that their wives have no income and that they have absolutely nothing. These people are being refused social welfare. That should not be the case. Those to whom I refer are entitled to social welfare payments-----