355 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 23 November 2010, regarding the conditions of habitual residence to be eligible for social welfare benefits, if the Department guidelines have been reviewed to make the conditions clearer and more user-friendly for deciding officers and customers alike and if not when will the guidelines be available. [3705/11]

The HRC guidelines are currently being revised with a view to making them more user-friendly for deciding officers and customers alike. All issues that have been raised recently by Deputies and interested groups are being fully considered in this process.

Work on the review of the Guidelines is nearing completion and it is anticipated that the roll-out to deciding officers will commence in February. The revised guidelines will then be published on the Department's website.