Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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392. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the policy of his Department regarding unscheduled home inspections of applicants for social protection payments and specifically, as it applies to lone parents allowance, jobseekers allowance and family income supplement. [26842/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Social Welfare Inspectors (SWIs) are appointed under Section 250 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) and are required to investigate and report on customer’s claims.

As part of their investigations, SWIs may need to make un-notified home inspections. Such visits to a customer’s home are an operational control measure and it is solely at the discretion of the Inspector as to whether home visits are notified or not.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.