Ms Jackie Harrington:

As far as I can recall, I do not think it is in the working group recommendations but it may be. I do not recall it being there. The high level interdepartmental group consists of representatives from our Department, the HSE and the Department of Justice and Equality. As far as I am aware, the habitual residence condition and how it relates to child benefit has not been discussed. Government policy is that the habitual residence condition must be satisfied for a number of schemes, including child benefit. Any change to the policy would require a change in legislation, which would obviously require Government approval.