Local Fianna Fáil TD has Margaret Conlon told Dáil Eireann that the recently published Social Welfare Bill will help to break the cycle of dependency that she said has unfortunately become prevalent in some areas.

According to Deputy Conlon, this in turn will ensure that the people who are genuinely in need of assistance have every opportunity afforded to them by the Government. Speaking on the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 Deputy Conlon outlined a number of positive measures in the Bill which will reform the current Welfare system and she highlighted a number of issues which have been brought to her attention by constituents currently within the system. “There are some people in this country who, through no fault of their own - they may have an illness, disability or other circumstances - are not in a position to work. That is regrettable but it is important to recognise such people deserve and need to be supported. This Government is committed to providing that support,” she stated.

However, the local TD added that she is also aware of some people who she claims “have made a full-time occupation” from claiming welfare and said they must be stopped. “They have perfected the art and know every scheme of getting money; they are masters at it. What is more, they have never had and never will have any intention of working. We cannot continue to support those people. Taxpayers in this country are providing money for those people and their actions must stop.” Deputy Conlon said that there must be benefit reforms to ensure that work is always a much more attractive option. She commended the Minister for Social Protection Eamon O’Cuiv TD and his predecessor, Minister Mary Hanafin TD, on their commitment to anti-fraud measures.

Deputy Conlon also welcomed the move to appoint people other than serving staff to appeal officer positions; “There appears to be significant backlogs causing major backlogs and this is causing hardship for people. The current methodology appears to be that if a person is not sure about a claim coming through the system it is disallowed without subjecting it to closer examination. Such a claims end up in the appeals system and in the majority of cases the appeals are granted. This gives rise to logjams and we should be working to avoid this.”

Deputy Conlon concluded by highlighting the concerns of people who have contacted her regarding approached by the Chief Medical Officer. “I have been approached by many people on disability who have been called to appear before the chief medical officer. Again, this gives rise to major levels of distress because people are of the view that they are not being given enough time to have their documentation reviewed. As a result, their claims are disallowed and they are then obliged to engage with what is a lengthy appeals process,” the local Fianna Fáil TD concluded.