Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the existence of a letter of authorisation in respect of guardianship in favour of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their grandchildren, which was submitted to her Department on the 2 August 2013, if review of their entitlement to child benefit and-or guardianship payment can be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22086/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned submitted a letter to the Department regarding guardianship of her grandchildren in March 2013. Her claim was disallowed, as she was not considered the qualified person for receipt of the payment. This decision was confirmed in writing and was the subject of a reply to a PQ (Ref. No. 26529-13). There is no record of further correspondence having been received in August 2013. The mother of the children made it clear in her subsequent child benefit appeal that she was the main carer of the children. The appeal by the mother against the decision to disallow her child benefit claim on habitual residence grounds was unsuccessful; however, it is open to her to submit another application.