asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the full rate of children's allowances payable on 1st January, 1947; what changes have since been made, and from what date in each case.
Written Answers. - Children's Allowances.
The information required is as follows:—
On 1st January, 1947, children's allowances were payable to a person with whom three or more qualified children normally resided. The rate of allowance was 2/6 per week in respect of the third and each subsequent qualified child. To be a qualified child the child should be under 16 years of age, ordinarily resident in the State and not detained in a reformatory or an industrial school.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare (Children's Allowances) Act, 1952, which came into operation on 1st July, 1952, the following changes were effected: (a) Children's allowances became payable on a monthly instead of a weekly basis, (b) an allowance became payable to a person with whom two or more qualified children normally reside, (c) an allowance at the rate of 11/- per month became payable in respect of the second qualified child and the rate of allowance for the third and each subsequent qualified child was increased to 17/6 per month.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the total amount paid in respect of children's allowances in each of the financial years 1947-48 to 1955-56, inclusive.
The total amount paid in respect of children's allowances in each of the financial years in question was as follows:—
|
Year |
Amount |
|
£ |
|
|
1947-48 |
2,185,093 |
|
1948-49 |
2,172,342 |
|
1949-50 |
2,193,193 |
|
1950-51 |
2,210,042 |
|
1951-52 |
2,231,864 |
|
1952-53 |
4,413,243 |
|
1953-54 |
5,196,950 |
|
1954-55 |
5,276,412 |
|
1955-56 |
5,312,764 (a) |
(a)Provisional.