Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

John Browne

Question:

195 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to change the anomaly whereby a parent claiming unemployment benefit for an 18 year old still attending school is disallowed whereas a claim by a parent under unemployment assistance is granted. [3710/00]

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

Child dependant allowances are payable in all cases 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. This applies to long-term payments, such as pensions only; it does not currently apply to short-term payments such as disability benefit, unemployment benefit, short-term unemployment assistance and supplementary welfare allowance.

The more favourable treatment of people on long-term payments is in recognition of the fact that families with children on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.

The question of extending entitlement to child dependant allowances to short-term welfare claimants has been raised in the context of the negotiations on the new programme for prosperity and fairness. I am pleased to say that the programme contains a commitment that, over the course of the programme, child dependant allowances will be payable to all social welfare recipi ents on the same basis as currently applies to long-term welfare claimants.