David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the campaign to restore universal child benefit (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39648/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the campaign to which the Deputy refers.

EU Regulations provide that migrant workers who are EEA nationals, i.e. EEA nationals who have been employed since coming to this country, are entitled to payment of family benefits under the same conditions as Irish nationals and the habitual residence condition does not apply in their case.

The effect of the condition, therefore, is principally in relation to claims by non-EEA nationals. Approximately 15% of such claims, received in the period May 2004 to October 2006, were refused on the grounds that the habitual residence condition was not satisfied.

Those who are refused are mainly persons whose claim to asylum has not yet been decided, who do not have a work permit or who have a minimal attachment to the workforce in Ireland. The original reason for the introduction of the habitual residence condition in May 2004 was to ensure that persons who have not worked in Ireland or who have not established their habitual residence in Ireland cannot avail of assistance schemes or child benefit, and this continues to be its purpose.

A review of the operation of the habitual residence condition was completed by my Department in July this year and, following consultation with other relevant Departments, is being brought to the attention of the Government. The arguments put forward in the context of the current campaign were considered during the course of this review.