The following table sets out by scheme the number of Irish people who were disallowed a social welfare payment based on the failure to satisfy the habitual residence during the years 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. Figures in respect of 2007 are also included for the Deputy's convenience.
Irish
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance
|
434
|
438
|
351
|
879*
|
530*
|
State Pension (Non-Con)
|
15
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
9
|
Blind Pension
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Widow/er’s & Orphan’s Non-Con Pensions
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
One-Parent Family Payment
|
9
|
4
|
16
|
37
|
23
|
Carer’s Allowance
|
26
|
24
|
6
|
7
|
33
|
Disability Allowance
|
12
|
17
|
3
|
40
|
98
|
Child Benefit
|
11
|
6
|
2
|
22
|
45
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance†
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
0
|
Total
|
507
|
497
|
381
|
985
|
738
|
*It should be noted that the Live Register increased by over 70% in 2008 and by a further 46% in 2009.
†The Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme transferred to the Department on 1 April 2009.
It should also be noted that the figures in the above table include a number of people who, although they were not born in this State, are Irish passport holders by virtue of their ancestral ties with Ireland. Some never previously lived or worked here and claimed a social welfare payment almost immediately on entry to this country even though it was not their intention to reside permanently in this State. Accordingly, they do not meet the criteria for the habitual residence condition.
Statistics on the number of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) claims that do not satisfy the habitual residence condition are not maintained by the various HSE areas. However, it is estimated that approximately 1.5% of all SWA claims are disallowed for HRC reasons.
It is open to any customer who is not satisfied with the decision on their claim to appeal that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The total number of persons who have appealed habitual residence decisions is set out in the table below:
Year
|
Number
|
2005
|
657
|
2006
|
786
|
2007
|
858
|
2008
|
1,015
|
2009
|
1,383
|
However, figures in relation to the number of Irish people who have appealed habitual residence decisions are not available as the nationalities of appellants are not recorded on the system.