Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

166 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider payment of child benefit to 21 years of age where a child is in full-time education; his views on whether this payment is more beneficial between the age of 18 to 21 years where a child is in full-time education and has to pay for transport to college and daily food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22881/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Child benefit is paid up to age 16 or up to age 19 if the child is in full-time education or where the child has a physical or mental disability.

In addition, families at greatest risk of poverty receive income support up to age 22 in respect of children in full-time education. Child dependant allowances are payable in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years; however, where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child dependant allowances are payable where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. This applies to long-term payments, such as pensions only; it does not apply to short-term payments such as disability benefit, unemployment benefit, short-term unemployment assistance and supplementary welfare allowance. The more favourable treatment of people on long-term payments is in recognition of the fact that families with chil dren on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.

Furthermore, for families at work on low pay, family income supplement continues to be paid up to the age of 22, in respect of young-people still in full-time education.

Any further changes would have cost implications which would have to be considered in a budgetary context.