Returned emigrant welfare refusal ‘cruel and heartless’

Welfare loophole ‘cruel and heartless’


Anton McNulty

The Government has been accused of turning its back on its own citizens and being ‘heartless’ by refusing social welfare for returned Irish emigrants.
Mayo TD and Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Social Protection Deputy Michael Ring described as ‘cruel’ the use of a loophole which allows the State to deny welfare payments because the claimant has not spent their entire life living in the State. He claims that some 738 returned Irish emigrants who have fallen on hard times were refused social welfare payments including jobseeker’s allowance, disability allowance or child benefit.
“This is a cruel and heartless way to treat Irish people, most of whom had to leave the country to make a living. Minister Ó Cuív used the Habitual Residence Condition to refuse welfare payments to some 738 people last year, and to 985 in 2008. This includes people who have returned to Ireland to care for sick or elderly loved ones, even though they are saving the State large sums of money by providing voluntary care,” he said.
Deputy Ring claimed that the government was sending out a message to Irish emigrants that they will not be welcome back if they need State assistance.