Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Ceisteanna (61, 62)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of introducing a derogation from the habitual residency clause for returning emigrants. [46011/15]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of altering the habitual residence test for social protection eligibility for those returning to care for elderly relatives by applying the habitual residence test to the elderly relative as opposed to the returning emigrant. [46012/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.

My Department does not maintain data on the number of returning emigrants who claim a Social Welfare payment to which the statutory Habitual Residence Condition applies. Therefore it is not possible to estimate a cost of amending the provision as suggested by the Deputy.