Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

699 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to extend double child benefit to all multiple births, particularly double child benefit for twins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/96]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

700 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of sets of twins that were paid a special grant of £100 per child on birth in 1995. [14986/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.

Child benefit is payable in respect of all children, including twins, up to 16 years of age and up to 19 years in respect of children who are in full-time education or are physically or mentally handicapped. Child benefit is payable at double the normal rate for each child where three or more children are born together.

In recognition of the significant additional costs involved for parents of twins, I made provision in the 1996 budget for increasing the grant in respect of the birth of twins to £500 and for the introduction of a new grant of £500 which is payable on the twins reaching the ages of four and 12. These new grants are intended to assist with the particular financial pressures arising at birth and as the twins enter primary and secondary school.

These improvements in relation to twins were brought into effect from 1 January 1996, and are in addition to the increases being provided in the monthly rates of child benefit. From September next, the monthly payment will be £29 in respect of each of the first two children and £34 for the third and subsequent children. When taken together with the increases provided for in the 1995 budget, these rates represent an increase over the last two years of 45 per cent in the rate payable for the first two children and 36 per cent in the higher rate payable in respect of other children. Further improvements in child benefit will be considered in the light of available resources and within a budgetary context.

Birth grants were made in respect of a total of 609 sets of twins in 1995.