Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Only 10% of the claims were disallowed. The number of child benefit claims that required examination of the habitual residence condition was 16,000 between May 2004 and January 2007. The 10% that were disallowed were disallowed for good reasons. There was little or no connection with the State.

There is a safety net through social welfare officers, community welfare officers and the social welfare system. There is support available for hardship cases. We have a caring system in which we try to assist children in particular. The numbers I have quoted show that most non-national families are eligible for and receiving child benefit.

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