Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if parents who are in receipt of child benefit in respect of their children are obliged to notify her Department in advance if they are outside the State for more than two weeks; if they fail to do so, the implications regarding the child benefit payable for that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31466/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Child benefit is payable in respect of children who are ordinarily resident in the State. There is no obligation on customers to notify the Department in advance that they will be absent from the State for short periods. While there is no provision within Social Welfare legislation covering entitlement to child benefit payment during an absence from the State, absence for a period of up to 2 months may be accepted as a holiday.

When a customer notifies the Department that they will be, or were absent for an extended period they are asked to provide documentation confirming their departure and return dates. Absences by families of up to 2 months are accepted without issue in relation to residence or entitlement. Where a customer is absent for a longer period the deciding officer considers all aspects of the absence, with each case decided on its own merits.