FOYLE MLA and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness’s office has secured a meeting with Revenue contracted company Concentrix to discuss widespread concerns at how it is applying Tax Credit qualification criteria.
Party colleague and Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney will represent the party at the meeting.
He said: “This meeting secured by Martin McGuinness MLA will provide an opportunity to put the case for the hundreds of people who have been treated in an overly bureaucratic manner by this private contractor on behalf of the Revenue authorities.
“We have also been in contact with the DHSS to find the direct impact all of this is having locally on claimants and requested a meeting.
“The number of individuals who have indicated to us that they never received the original request for additional information would suggest that there is something profoundly wrong with the procedures being applied by Concentrix.
“The arbitrary approach adopted by this private company is resulting in unacceptable hardship for many vulnerable families and individuals.
“When the Sinn Féin delegation meets with Concentrix representatives we will demonstrate through specific cases the need for verification of qualification criteria to be radically reviewed and adjusted to ensure that claimants receive all benefits due and not to punish the majority in order to identify perceived abuse of the system.”
He added: “We have also been in contact with those working at the coalface in the community and voluntary sector.
“They have told us there is a concern that it seems to be primarily single mothers who have been caught up in all this and as a result have lost out on the likes of school meals for their children and uniform grants.
