Vol. 411 No. 1
301 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason children's allowance is not paid to recipients of invalidity/disability benefit after 18 years of age while their children are in full-time education; if he will consider changing his system in the next budget because of the cost on such people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have, over the last few years gradually increased the age limit for payment of child dependant allowances to long term social welfare recipients where the child remains in full-time education. In the case of invalidity pension, and other long term payments such allowances can now be paid up to the age of 21. In the case of short term payments such as disability benefit, child dependant allowances are paid up to the age of 18. An extension of this age limit would have financial implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context, having regard to available resources.
