Joe Walsh
Question:156 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost in a full year of extending the special rate of child benefit for multiple births to include twins. [17866/95]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
It is estimated that extending the special rate of child benefit for multiple births to include twins would cost in the region of £8 million in a full year.
Joe Walsh
Question:158 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give an estimate of the cost in a full year of increasing the earnings limit for adult and child dependency payments from £60 per week to £80 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/95]
Increases are payable with most social welfare payments in respect of both adult and child dependants. Where the spouse of a claimant has personal income in excess of £60, however, no adult dependant allowance, and only half the value of the child dependant allowance, is paid. The estimated full year cost of increasing this £60 threshold to £80 for all short-term schemes, including unemployment benefit and assistance and disability benefit, is £19 million. An additional cost would be associated with intoducing the measure for long-term schemes.
In recognition of the difficulties caused by the operation of the threshold, representing a sudden withdrawal of a substantial component of household income, section 15 of the Social Welfare Act, 1995 introduced regulatory powers to enable an increase to be paid in respect of a spouse or partner who is not regarded as being an adult dependant by virtue of having personal income in excess of £60. Various options for implementing this measure are currently being considered.