Bill on extending provision to aid dying people in NI to be debated in Stormont today

By Q Radio News

A bill to extend provision of fast-track benefit applications to more dying people in Northern Ireland will be debated in the Assembly on Tuesday.

End of life care charity Marie Curie is urging Stormont parties to back the new law, which will make it easier for terminally ill people to access benefits.

The legislation would make it easier for terminally ill people to access benefits.

Bill on extending provision to aid dying people in NI to be debated in Stormont today.https://t.co/fbRus6cv82

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 7, 2021

The charity has campaigned for changes to the existing system for years and warned that time is running out to pass the new law before next year’s Assembly election.

Craig Harrison, Policy Manager for Marie Curie Northern Ireland, said:

“Marie Curie is urging every MLA in the Assembly to support the speedy passage of this crucial bill.

"The legislation will provide fast-track welfare support to thousands of more dying people and cut away the red tape that is forcing so many to spend their final weeks and months fighting for the money they’re entitled to. The existing system is entirely unfit for purpose and needs to change urgently.

“There is very little time left in the existing Assembly mandate, so this bill needs to proceed under accelerated passage. While many MLAs are rightly cautious about that procedure, we would plead with them to recognise the urgency of the situation and back the bill.

"Terminally ill people do not have the luxury of time and many are dying before seeing a penny of their benefits because of barriers within the existing system.

"That unacceptable outcome will continue the longer we wait for reform, so it is imperative that all parties come together and deliver this change for dying people as soon as possible.”

(Charity Marie Curie)