Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Richard Bruton

Question:

541 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend child dependant allowance to persons who are in receipt of disability benefit up to the age of 22 in line with other long-term social welfare beneficiaries. [8602/98]

Michael Ring

Question:

550 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to continue paying the child dependant rate to parents in the lower socio-economic groups with children aged 22 years or over in full-time education courses in view of the fact that the limitations on payment of the child dependant rate exclude those students from commencing a four year degree course at colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8842/98]

Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 541 and 550 together.

Child dependant allowances (CDAs) are payable in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years. Where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child dependant allowances are payable where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. These latter arrangements do not apply to short-term payments, including disability benefit.

The question of extending the payment of CDAs for short-term social welfare recipients or of further extending the current age limits for the payment of the allowances would have financial implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

It should be noted, however, that in recent years the thrust of child income support policy has been to target resources towards substantially enhancing the child benefit scheme as part of a strategy aimed at ensuring that child income support is more neutralvis-à-vis the employment status of the parents. The Social Welfare Act, 1998, provides for the further enhancement of the child benefit scheme this year. Child benefit will be increased by £1.50 per child per month for the first two children and by £3 per child for the third and subsequent children, thus bringing the lower rate up to £31.50 and the higher rate up to £42. In addition a special supplementary payment in respect of twins will be introduced. These measures will take effect from next September.

Liz McManus

Question:

543 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will reduce the requirement to have 26 contributions in a current year before an insured worker can avail of dental benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8608/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Under the treatment benefits scheme administered by my Department, persons insured under the Social Welfare Acts and their dependent spouses can avail of benefit in respect of a certain range of dental, optical and aural services subject to satisfying certain contribution conditions. This is one of a number of social insurance schemes where entitlement is linked directly to the payment of PRSI contributions for specified minimum periods.

One of the qualifying conditions for treatment benefits requires applicants aged 21 years and over to have had a minimum of 39 contributions in the particular tax year that governs the claim. This condition can be satisfied on the basis of PRSI contributions paid while at work or, alternatively, by credited contributions awarded in respect of periods of unemployment or illness.

The option of credited contributions enables workers who may not be in a position to attain 39 or more weeks of employment in any year to still establish a full PRSI record which will protect and maintain their entitlements to contributory benefits and pensions.

I might also mention that persons under 21 years of age are not required to have contributions in any specific year and can qualify for benefit where they have 39 contributions paid, in total, since first entering the PRSI system.

Any relaxation of the qualifying conditions for treatment benefits would have cost implications and there are no plans to amend the statutory conditions at this time.