Discretionary powers ‘used to avoid giving benefits’

The ombudsman has said government departments, especially the Department of Social Protection, are using discretionary powers to avoid granting benefits and are adding to the trauma experienced by many families.

Launching her annual report for 2011, Emily O’Reilly said the increase in the number of people seeking benefits had meant an increase in inquiries to the ombudsman’s office, mostly due to delays or denial of payments.

In particular, the granting of the carer’s allowance and domiciliary care allowance appears to have become more discretionary, she said, and the refusal of the payments is not always evidence-based or consistent.