David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On Second Stage Sinn Féin signalled that it would support this Bill but that it had concerns about some provisions that had been raised with it by the Free Legal Advice Centres and Community Law & Mediation. In their joint submission the two organisations called for the deletion of section 4, arguing that it would do nothing but make it more difficult for carers to access income supports. They described the section as negative law-making, introducing a presumption of ineligibility for the payment which the applicant would have to overcome. The applicant must demonstrate an entitlement and the deciding officer will then make a reasoned decision from a position of neutrality and objectivity. The submission noted that the outworking of this change would see more eligible applicants having to go to the appeals office to secure their entitlements, with the lengthy wait and hardship this would involve. If we can avoid any application for a social welfare entitlement moving to appeals stage, it will be for the good because applications can become stuck in what many describe as a black hole, preventing them from being adjudicated on in a speedy and timely manner.