Mother disputes State’s claim

A woman seeking backdated child benefit payments for her son has disputed the State’s claims that her family’s basic needs were “more than adequately met” within the direct provision system.

The High Court was hearing continuing arguments in the test case by the woman and child aimed at securing backdated payments. They claim the boy is entitled to payments from either his birth in late 2007 or when benefit was first sought in early 2008.

The State disputes any entitlement to child benefit before May 2012, when the parents’ applications for subsidiary protection were granted.