Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare benefits that have been stopped following persons being interviewed at Dublin Airport and other Irish entry points, upon returning to the country, and the number of these cases result in the benefit being restored. [47395/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Provision was made in the Social Welfare & Pensions Act 2012 to allow Social Welfare Inspectors to exercise certain functions at ports and airports for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Act. The provision came into effect for 7th June 2012.

Following on from this, protocols have been put in place with the relevant airport authorities. Security/Garda clearance has been obtained so that relevant Social Welfare Inspectors have the appropriate clearance to attend port and airports.

A total of 28 social welfare payments have been stopped as a result investigations undertaken at airports. There has only been one case where payment was restored. However, in this case an overpayment was assessed against the person concerned as it was established that they were not habitually resident in the State for a period of time.