Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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488. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the guidelines in place on timeframes for undertaking social welfare inspections in respect of child benefit applications; if regional offices are given a specified timeframe in which to complete an inspection; if regional offices are given a specified timeframe in which to provide a requested report following an inspection to the child benefit section; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48123/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In general, child benefit claims are processed at desk and without any requirement for an investigation by an inspector. However, claims requiring investigation to determine eligibility are sent to a social welfare inspector to have an investigation undertaken. Depending on the circumstances, such enquiries can take varying lengths of time. Accordingly, the Department has not set any specified timeframe for undertaking such investigations.

Once a report is received claims are dealt with promptly and decisions are made and communicated to the people concerned by child benefit section.