Vol. 496 No. 6
347 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had his social welfare entitlements reduced by £15; and if this person's full social welfare entitlement will be reinstated. [23504/98]
Following a recent review of his entitlements, a deciding officer assessed the weekly means of the person concerned at £14 from 4 November 1998, derived from income from a holding. This assessment entitles him to payment at the weekly rate of £56.50.
It is open to the person concerned, if he so desires, to appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
348 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will include twins under the legislation governing multiple births; if he will grant an increase in child benefit for twins in the forthcoming budget in view of the fact that under the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1965, each twin should receive double child benefit. [23507/98]
354 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will outline the rate of children's allowance paid in respect of twins; the way in which the rate is decided by his Department; and if he will consider having an equal amount paid to each child at the higher rate. [23663/98]
357 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the need to have twins put on an equal footing with other multiple births in respect of child benefit payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23767/98]
360 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the strong feeling that parents of twins are suffering discrimination compared to the treatment of triplets; whether he has received submissions on the matter; and the plans, if any, he has to revise policy in this area. [23851/98]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 348, 354, 357 and 360 together.
Section 194 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, provides for the award of double child benefit payments in respect of a qualified child whose birth was part of a multiple birth of three or more children. This provision was first introduced in the Social Wefare Act, 1965.
Prior to the last election, we gave a commitment to increase the level of child benefit payable for twins. Section 194, as amended by section 6 of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, now provides that the rate of child benefit payable in respect of a qualified child, whose birth was part of a multiple birth of two children, will be 150 per cent of the normal child benefit rate.
The Deputies will be aware that I introduced this latter measure, which came into effect in September of this year, in recognition of the additional difficulties which may be faced by parents of twins, thereby fulfilling my election commitments. The full-year cost of this measure amounts to some £4.8 million.
I have received a number of representations on the question of equalising the rates of child benefit payable in respect of twins and of children whose birth was part of a multiple birth of three or more children.
