Welfare system ‘failing some immigrants’

Some migrants are facing “unfair” treatment when claiming social welfare payments, according to a new report to be launched tomorrow.

The “Person or Number” report, compiled by the Crosscare Migrant Project, Doras Luimní and the Cork-based Nasc Immigrant Support Centre, shows that some migrants believe they suffer discrimination and that immigrants sometimes seem to be unwelcome in welfare exchanges.

Many of the problems are based on the Habitual Residence Condition, with the “permanence” of an individual’s stay in Ireland and thereby their entitlement to benefits decided by a determining officer.