Vol. 372 No. 5
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will amend the social welfare code to enable continuous payment of dependants allowance to all parents on social welfare for children over 18 years old, who are in full time education, particularly in second level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
55.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost of extending payment of dependant's allowances to social welfare recipients for children who have reached 18 years of age, but are still attending second level schools on a full time basis.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
Child dependant increases are payable with most social welfare benefits and pensions in respect of children up to the age of 18 years. In the case of widow's pension, deserted wife's benefit and allowance, prisoner's wife's allowance and unmarried mother's allowance, however, child dependant increases continue to be payable in respect of children up to the age of 21 years provided that they are receiving full time education at either second or third level. This extension of the age limit which also applies to widows receiving invalidity, retirement or old age contributory pensions was introduced in recognition of the special needs of widows and other one-parent families.
The Commission on Social Welfare recommended that child dependant allowances should be payable to age 21 with all long term social welfare payments where the child is in full time education and this recommendation will be considered in the context of the examination of the Commission's report. Having regard, however, to present constraints on the public finances there are no immediate plans to extend the scope of child dependency payments.
Information is not available which would enable precise calculations to be made of the cost of extending child dependency payments in the manner suggested in the questions but it is estimated that it would be upwards of £3 million per annum.
