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Citizenship worth nothing for returning emigrants
By Fiona Audley
The true cost of the Irish exodus to places like Britain and the US in
previous decades is becoming startlingly apparent as nationals are being
refused basic welfare entitlements upon their return.
State provisions such as child benefit payments, carers’ allowances
and pensions for the blind are among those now only available to returning
emigrants once a Habitual Residency Condition (HRC) is satisfied.
But achieving a HRC is largely based on being resident in Ireland for
two years prior to making an application for any one of 10 state benefits.
Consequently British-based nationals, who may return home to look after
poorly family members, could find themselves waiting years before they
can claim benefits such as a State pension or a disability allow-ance
once they arrive back home.
These residency barriers have only existed since the Irish Government
adopted the HRC scheme in May 2004 — a policy which they promised
would curb the tide of ‘welfare tourists’ entering the country.
But returning Irish emigrants now face officials who decide whether a
person is ‘habitually resident’ by looking at a range of factors,
as the HRC presumes all are ‘not resident’ until the contrary
can be proven.
And while the policy increasingly affects the country’s true nationals
as much as those they wish to keep out, the Government claims EU laws
keep them from providing ‘breaks’ for Irish citizens.
Government figures show that since their inception in 2004 the HRC regulations
have seen 1,700 Irish nationals refused welfare benefits.
Concerned Labour representatives have been pressing the Government to
amend the policy in favour of citizens.
Party spokesperson Roisin Shortall TD said: “It is not good enough
for the Government to cite legal advice as the reason for excluding Irish
citizens from these payments.
“Effectively, Irish citizenship would appear to be worth nothing
when it comes to welfare entitlements.”
But Martin Cullen TD, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, continues
to back the policy, stating: “I am satisfied that the habitual residence
condition is achieving its intended purpose, allowing access to our social
welfare schemes to persons who are genuinely and lawfully making Ireland
their habitual residence, while preventing unwarranted access by persons
who have little or no connection with the State.” |
