Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 223

Payments to persons absent from State

Section 223 allows child benefit applications to be made on behalf of a qualified person who is absent from the State, by a representative approved by the Minister.

• Where a qualified person is temporarily absent from the State, someone else may apply for child benefit on their behalf.
• The substitute applicant must be a person whom the Minister considers appropriate.
• The Minister has discretion to decide who may act as the representative applicant.
• The provision ensures continuity of child benefit entitlement during periods of absence from the State.