Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

We did not say we had had another child in the past ten days so we will have to send a separate form for that.

That is good. I have received complaints from people who have been subject to random checking, delays and so forth, but I explained to them it is necessary. There is considerable public disquiet about social welfare fraud, in particular, child benefit, on the part of people who do not live in the State and may not have an entitlement to the benefit. The work the Department does to check claims is absolutely necessary. The remaining measures in the Bill are technical. I support it.

I look forward to what may be called the urban social scheme, the equivalent of the rural social scheme, which is an excellent one. My father-in-law is to retire from the rural social scheme next week. I believe the Minister is to visit Gorteen next week on the day after he retires so the Minister might give my father-in-law his best regards. The scheme is an excellent one in rural Ireland and the scheme the Minister is introducing will extend the provision around the country. I hope it will answer the prayers of all the community groups that seek CE or FÁS workers, and those of people who want to get involved. There is an enormous demand for this scheme and the sooner it happens the better.

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