Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Questions (169)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form per county the number of persons who have been refused social welfare payments or supplementary welfare including rent supplement for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 on the grounds of the habitual residence condition; the number of those refused on habitual residence condition grounds that were born in Ireland; the number of those refused on the habitual residence condition who have members of their immediate family living here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50410/12]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is not available. Information relating to the disallowances of individuals who have immediate family members residing in Ireland is not captured during the claim decision making process. However, information pertaining to overall disallowances on the grounds of the habitual residency condition including those disallowances relating specifically to Irish nationals is contained in the tabular statement.

Table: Claims disallowed under Habitual Residence Condition, 2009 – 2012

Year:	2009	2010*	2011	2012 to date
Irish Disallowances	738	650	455	264
Total Disallowances	10,582	5,906	4,494	1,992

*Please note that figures for 2010 are incomplete due to industrial action.