Immigrants not exploiting welfare

I am writing in response to Peter O’Dwyer’s article, in the Irish Examiner, on the “very generous” welfare payments EU citizens in Ireland “enjoy” (‘EU Citizens enjoy ‘very generous’ welfare here’, Oct 29).

Mr Dwyer deceives by omission, by failing to convey the complexities of Irish social welfare rules. Applicants — whether Irish or EU citizens — must satisfy the habitual residence requirement to access social protection.

Access to social protection for EU nationals residing in any EU state is EU law and requires member states to treat their own nationals, and nationals of other member states, in a like manner.