Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports in a country (details supplied) that people from that State, are claiming child benefit both here and in that State; if he will carry out an investigation to ensure that this cannot occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23249/07]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the checks that are carried out to ensure that adults claiming child benefit for children either living here or in another EEA State are not claiming child benefit in another State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23250/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

I am not aware of the reports mentioned by the Deputy regarding Irish Child Benefit but I am aware of a recent report in the Daily Express, dated 24th September last, regarding UK Child Benefit. Claims for Child Benefit are only put into payment when all necessary documents including original birth certificates have been obtained and verified and enquiries regarding entitlement are confirmed by the other member state. Regular checks are carried out to ensure that those in receipt of benefit continue to be entitled to it. These include the use of mailshots and follow up Social Welfare Inspector visits as required. Child Benefit customers are also informed at the time of their claim, and in ongoing communications, of their obligation to inform the Department of any change in circumstances that may affect their entitlement to benefit.

EEA migrant workers in Ireland with entitlement to Child Benefit fall into one of two categories — those who have their families living with them in Ireland and those whose families reside in their home country. Applications for child benefit from EEA migrant workers who come to live in Ireland with their families are dealt with under domestic legislation. Entitlement is based on the applicant satisfying the Habitual Residency condition and the child being ordinarily resident in Ireland. Before Child Benefit is awarded, the Department confirms that the applicant or spouse is in insurable employment in Ireland and that the children are resident in the country. Employment status is confirmed with the employer or via the commencement of employment data held by the Department. The residency of the child is normally confirmed with the school the child is attending. If the child is not yet school age, the parent will be asked to provide confirmation from the family doctor or other nominated professional, of the child's residency in Ireland.

When the Department is satisfied that the qualifying conditions have been met, the claim is put into payment and a notification is sent to the EEA country where the family previously lived to inform them that the family now reside in Ireland and that Child Benefit is being paid here. The authorities in the other member state will then take any necessary action to regularise the customer's payments (if any) in that jurisdiction. EU regulations do allow for partial payment of Child Benefit from more than one State — where a top-up amount is paid by one State in addition to Benefit paid by the other one — so it is possible to receive Child Benefit payments legitimately from more than one State. However this would very rarely arise in the case of Poland as, due to the means-tested nature of the Child Benefit payments in that country, the entitlement from Ireland would almost invariably eliminate any entitlement in Poland. Migrant workers who are not EEA nationals are dealt with in the same manner as EEA nationals but the Child Benefit section also confirms if the person is registered with the Garda National Immigration Board (GNIB) as legally resident in Ireland.

EEA nationals who come to work in Ireland but whose family remain in their home country may have an entitlement to Family Benefits in Ireland under EU regulation 408/71. When an application is received from an EEA migrant worker whose family is resident in another member state, the Child Benefit Office contact the relevant authorities in the member state where the worker's family reside. The authorities are asked to verify details of children being claimed for, and any family benefits being paid in that country. This information is used to calculate the amount of Child Benefit to be paid to the customer. The payment issues either as a primary payment or a supplement top-up as appropriate and the relevant authority is notified of the Irish Child Benefit payment.

Regular periodic reviews are carried out to confirm that the claimant is still in employment and has entitlement to Irish Child Benefit. The Department is currently enhancing its IT systems under the Service Delivery Modernisation (SDM) programme to record the certification of non-Irish national customers in the terms of their residency and employment status as appropriate. This will further enhance the scheme control capabilities. These enhancements, coupled with the scheme review policy being drafted this year, will enable the Department to better focus control and review activity on selected segments or customer groupings as appropriate.