Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note the response given by Minister of State who is representing the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, but I am not overly impressed by or happy with it. Applications are in the process of being dealt with in many cases, including the case I have highlighted. That is the point I am trying to make. If it was not taking such an inordinately long time to deal with the applications, I would not be here and the lady I have mentioned would not have the problems she has. I am talking about what should happen in the interim when a live application is in process, especially where medical evidence demonstrates that the applicant needs treatment in a location to which he or she must make a long journey. The Minister of State overlooked that aspect of the matter in her response. Although the people to whom I refer are not existing customers of the Department, it is most likely that they will become customers. As I said, the expenses they incur while waiting cannot be reimbursed. I think the Minister of State missed that angle of my presentation. It is likely that the people to whom I refer, whose live applications are in the process of being dealt with, will eventually become customers. In the meantime, they are spending money they do not have. Perhaps that money might be refunded to them when the Department gets around to processing their applications. They should be reimbursed for the money they have spent, or their applications for free travel should be fast-tracked.