Case Study: Michael and Aoife’s Story

Michael and Aoife have five children. Having experienced frequent unemployment, Michael secured a job a year ago but has recently been made redundant and does not qualify for any redundancy pay. Michael and his family now have to rely on social welfare as their sole source of income. Michael experienced lengthy delays before his claim for unemployment benefit was processed and his rent with the local authority went into arrears. As a result, the family faced the threat of homelessness.

Michael and Aoife often struggle to pay regular bills such as housing, heating and food costs. This results in their diet being poor, as the food they eat is basic. Their house is frequently cold and damp and the children constantly get infections and the flu, and subsequently miss school. The medical card covers their GP and prescription expenses, but for more serious medical treatment they have to wait on the public waiting list. His youngest child had to wait 9 months for a speech and language assessment which had a negative impact on her ability to settle into school.

They live in a 3 bedroom house on an urban housing estate. The house is overcrowded and the estate is of poor quality with boarded up houses and little outdoor space for children to play. They have requested a transfer but are waiting for a decision on this.

Their main problem is that their income is inadequate to meet the needs of their seven-member family resulting in constant financial pressure and delays to accessing medical treatment. There are steps that the Government can take to ensure that children have access to basic healthcare and have an adequate income on which to live.

There are steps that the Government can take to ensure that children have access to basic healthcare and have an adequate income on which to live.