people who get child benefit but don't live here

[dodo]

I think it was a good idea for the government to get people to sign on each week as apposed to the current one month signing on fiasco.This was done due to people not living here and flying in once a month on a cheap flight to get dole money.I applaud the government for doing this.
But I think they should continue in the same vain in regard to child benefit.I do know of a few people who used to worked here in Ireland and where rightly claiming child benefit ,but these people no longer live here but their child benefit goes straight into their bank account.I have reported this to the appropriated government department.But I think there must be much more people doing this so the government should come up with something similar to the signing on issue that they addressed quite well.
These people can never be caught unless the government take some action.

 

[sandrat]

are you suggesting that mothers queue up in the post office for child benefit? Don't most post offices open during office hours. How do you expect working mothers to get the benefit then? Its easier for unemployment benefit to be collected in a post office because the recipients don't have to go to work.

 

[dodo]

That's the way it used to be don't forget, if you think people having to queue up is enough of a reason to allow this fraud continue then that's up to you.Also I never mentioned people having to queue up I suggested the government do something similar not the same.I am sure if they can put a man on the moon ,then the people in power should be able come up with something to catch these people, we could be talking million's of Euro each year.

are you suggesting that mothers queue up in the post office for child benefit? Don't most post offices open during office hours. How do you expect working mothers to get the benefit then? Its easier for unemployment benefit to be collected in a post office because the recipients don't have to go to work.

 

[jhegarty]

are you suggesting that mothers queue up in the post office for child benefit? Don't most post offices open during office hours. How do you expect working mothers to get the benefit then? Its easier for unemployment benefit to be collected in a post office because the recipients don't have to go to work.

Anyone who is paying pay tax (ie working in this country) could be easily exempted...

 

[gipimann]

I think it was a good idea for the government to get people to sign on each week as apposed to the current one month signing on fiasco.This was done due to people not living here and flying in once a month on a cheap flight to get dole money.I applaud the government for doing this.

Just to clarify, people have not been asked to sign on each week - they are required to sign on every month, but will be required to collect their payments from the post office every week.

Alternative suggestions for Child benefit (which aren't perfect either) would be to give an additional tax credit to working parent(s), or to pay it in addition to a Social Welfare payment if the parent was in receipt of one.

 

[niceoneted]

Child Benefit could also be cross referenced with school enrollment once children start school.

I know of some people of other cultures living in this country when they have children and they reach school going age they send them back to the grandparents in the country of origin so as they can be brought up in their own culture. They are still in receipt of child benefit.
It's catching them that's the problem.

 

[Diziet]

I know of some people of other cultures living in this country when they have children and they reach school going age they send them back to the grandparents in the country of origin so as they can be brought up in their own culture. They are still in receipt of child benefit.
It's catching them that's the problem.

My understanding is that this is in fact allowed under EU regulations and would also apply to Irish citizens working in another EU country.

 

[gebbel]

I do know of a few people who used to worked here in Ireland and where rightly claiming child benefit ,but these people no longer live here but their child benefit goes straight into their bank account.I have reported this to the appropriated government department.

You have done the right thing and I agree fully with the other points made in your post. I would add that I have always had a problem with child benefit being paid to migrant workers whose children never (and sometimes never will) set foot in this country. I know it's an EU ruling, and would equally apply to Irish people living in other EU states. Others may feel I am being unduly harsh in this thinking but I cannot see why taxpayers' money should be paid out for anyone who is not even here.

 

[Purple]

You have done the right thing and I agree fully with the other points made in your post. I would add that I have always had a problem with child benefit being paid to migrant workers whose children never (and sometimes never will) set foot in this country. I know it's an EU ruling, and would equally apply to Irish people living in other EU states. Others may feel I am being unduly harsh in this thinking but I cannot see why taxpayers' money should be paid out for anyone who is not even here.

Do remember that the parents of those children are paying tax here while their children consume the social infrastructure of another country. About 90% of all immigrants work. Most of them are young and healthy and have no children or dependant elderly relatives here. So they pay tax but they put very little strain on the health, education or welfare system. In this context I have absolutely no problem with them getting children’s allowance.

 

[gebbel]

Do remember that the parents of those children are paying tax here while their children consume the social infrastructure of another country. About 90% of all immigrants work. Most of them are young and healthy and have no children or dependant elderly relatives here. So they pay tax but they put very little strain on the health, education or welfare system. In this context I have absolutely no problem with them getting children’s allowance.

That's a good and valid point, but the inequality as I see it is that the children's allowance in "migrant countries" is only a fraction of what it is here. The difference is surely considered profit by the applicants here?

 

[jhegarty]

That's a good and valid point, but the inequality as I see it is that the children's allowance in "migrant countries" is only a fraction of what it is here. The difference is surely considered profit by the applicants here?

No if they are working and paying Irish tax....

 

[niceoneted]

Just to clarify I was referring to persons outside of the EU. It is not permitted for them to collect child benefit if their children are not living here whether those children are Irish born or not.