Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views to review the monitoring mechanisms employed to reduce fraudulent payment of child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46996/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Child benefit is a payment to parents for the support of their children. It is paid to some 616,276 families in respect of 1.18 million children as at 30 November 2014, with an expenditure of approximately €1.9 billion in 2014.

Safeguarding the child benefit budget is a priority and, in this regard the Department has taken a proactive approach to ensuring that it is only paid to eligible families. A policy of issuing continuing eligibility certificates to parents commenced in 2008 and is still in operation. The control policy for the scheme was reviewed in 2010 to ensure that controls in place to prevent fraud and abuse continue to be effective and relevant. As a result of this review, additional enhanced and updated control measures have been devised and implemented.

The child benefit control programme is kept under regular review based on the outcomes achieved. The total savings from child benefit control activity was €74 million in 2013. The Department has issued 380,000 continuing eligibility certificates to customers in 2014 and has generated €61 million in savings as at the end of October.

I am satisfied that appropriate controls are in place and implemented, ensuring child benefit is only paid to eligible families.