Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

I support Senator Stephenson's amendment. The Department of education should liaise with the UK's Department for Work and Pensions on this issue. My understanding is that approximately one third of the people deemed eligible for the payment live in the UK. We need clarification as to whether the payment will be disregarded for the purpose of means testing applicants for benefits given in the UK. Philomena's law will, we hope, progress through Westminster. We must make sure staff in the Department for Work and Pensions are aware of the payment and that it will not impact on means testing.

I agree with previous speakers that the proposed €3,000 payment for former residents is not sufficient. It should be index-linked to the cost of living and, furthermore, additional payments should be provided, on a case-by-case basis, to survivors with complex health needs.