Crackdown after immigrants claim €90m in child benefits

MIGRANT workers claiming more than €90 million a year in child benefits for dependents living in other EU countries have been subjected to an anti-fraud crackdown.

Claimants must now validate their eligibility for the payments every three months by proving they are employed here.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Martin Cullen said the move was needed to ensure Ireland complied with EU reciprocal arrangements while ensuring the system was not being abused.