Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6304/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the basis on which non-national parents are being selected for the three monthly checks on child benefit; and if parents are selected on the basis of their surname or nationality details held by her Department. [6305/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Child Benefit (CB) scheme has, in recent years, experienced significant expansion in the volume of claims received, the rates of payment and the diversity of the customer base. The primary reason for the various types of review is to ensure that CB customers are made aware of their obligations with regard to their continued entitlement. A fraud and error survey on child benefit highlighted in the case of 500 Irish Nationals surveyed, the extent of fraud that arose was 1.7% as compared to 13.9% in the case of 500 non-Irish Nationals surveyed, giving an overall level of fraud of 2.3% when weighted against the scheme client base.

The control policy for the child benefit scheme was reviewed to ensure that controls against fraud and abuse of the scheme continue to be effective and relevant. As a result of this review, enhanced and updated control measures have been devised, which include the automated issue of forms (certificates) to sub-sets of selected groups of customers for completion to confirm they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of Child Benefit. Employment certificates are issued every three months, to everyone paid under EU regulation 1408/71, irrespective of nationality (and including Irish nationals), to ensure that such customers continue to qualify for Child Benefit from this State. Residency certificates are issued every three months to all non-Irish national claimants, living with their children in Ireland and to all nationalities who are paid Irish Child Benefit based on their entitlements under EU regulation 1408/71. Information on a customer's nationality is provided by the customer.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) will receive their child benefit. [6307/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is receiving a reduced rate of disability allowance. [6309/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Question No. 452 answered with Question No. 429.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6330/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for a free travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6332/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.