John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of non-Irish nationals in receipt of social welfare payments in Waterford city and county; the number of non-Irish nationals in receipt of each type of social welfare payment in Waterford; the top 12 countries of origin by number of non-Irish nationals in receipt of social welfare payments in Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45756/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Social Welfare payments are contingency-based, for example, unemployment, sickness, retirement etc. Any person who satisfies all the conditions for a particular scheme is entitled to that payment regardless of their nationality and the Department has no business requirement to maintain payment statistics based on the nationality of the recipient. The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1st May 2004. The five factors considered in determining habitual residence are: length and continuity of residence; length and purpose of any absence from the State; the nature and pattern of the person's employment; future intentions; and centre of interest (e.g. family, home, connections).

Statistical data on the Live Register is compiled and published by the Central Statistics Office. This data is sourced from information collected on the nationality of claimants when they first sign on the Live Register.