The Taoiseach and the Government have been advocating that Irish emigrants should return home to complement the workforce. However, many cannot start work once they return home because, for example, they have fallen sick before finding employment. They are being denied the jobseeker's allowance, carer's allowance and the disability allowance. Even though they have spent the majority of their lives in this country, they are being denied these basic rights. Why is the Government doing this? They are our flesh and blood. We are trying to attract persons of every other nationality, but, will we, please, look after our own also?

I ask the Taoiseach to reply on the issue of habitual residence.

I will ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to send the Deputy a brief explaining why the habitual residence condition needs to apply.