asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that travellers with Irish citizenship are being discriminated against by the British Department of Health and Social Security (details supplied); if he will make representations to the British authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Discrimination against Irish Citizens.
50.
My Department has been aware that on occasions members of the Irish travelling community in Britain claiming social security benefits have had difficulties in establishing their identity or family status to the satisfaction of officials. The most common problem that has come to the attention of my Department relates to claims for dependent children, where the travellers have been unable to produce birth certificates in a form which would establish the relationship to the parent. My Department is not aware of discrimination against Irish citizens, whether travellers or others in this regard.
A birth certificate is not in itself evidence of the identity of the bearer. Irish people in order to enter Britain do not need passports which would help to provide such evidence. Social security officials have to satisfy themselves about the identity of claimants and the number of their children so as to avoid the possibility of double claims. As regards children, while the "short form" birth certificate may be acceptable in many cases, only the "long form" shows the parents of the child. My Department will continue to provide assistance and advice to Irish people who find themselves faced with problems of this sort.