Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Support.

Tony Gregory

Question:

271 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to equalise payments to parents of twins and multiple births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3945/00]

The position in relation to the issue of child benefit entitlements and multiple births is as follows. Prior to the introduction of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, child benefit was payable at double the normal rate for each child where three or more children were born together. In the case of twins, child benefit was paid at the normal rate but a grant of £500 was payable at the birth of twins and further grants of £500 were payable when the twins reached the ages of four and 12.

I introduced two key additional measures in the Social Welfare Act, 1998, in fulfilment of our pre-election commitments. The rate of child benefit payable in respect of twins was increased to 150% of the normal rate. In the run-up to the election we promised to increase child benefit for twins by 50% and we carried this out. The £500 grants, which previously were confined to families with twins, were extended to also include families with multiple births of three or more children. These measures took effect in September 1998 at a full-year cost of some £4.8 million.

In the interim, I have provided for very substantial additional investments in the child benefit scheme. The 1999 budget provided for an additional full year investment in the scheme of over £40 million, while the recent budget provides for a full year investment of almost £106 million. From September this year, the basic child benefit monthly rates will have risen to £42.50 in respect of the first two children and £56 in respect of the third and subsequent children. These improvements will benefit all families with children, including families with twins, and represent the most effective use of the available resources.

Michael Creed

Question:

272 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the assistance, if any, available from his Department by way of grant aid towards the establishment of crèches. [3948/00]

As announced in budget 2000, an annual allocation of £5 million has been provided for the Department to support provision of out-of-school hours and child care services in disadvantaged communities. It is envisaged that the funding will mainly be made available to the projects funded under the community development support programmes, CDSP, namely community development pro gramme, family and community services resource centre programme, and core-funded community and family support groups programme.

The report of the interdepartmental committee on child care recommended that funding be provided totalling £5 million per annum for community groups towards developing out-of-school hours services. The committee anticipated that the provision of this funding to less well-off communities would address a number of issues, namely the provision of low cost out-of-school child care for parents in the paid labour market; practical support for children who need additional support to maintain their interest in school; the promotion of parental and community involvement in engaging young people in school and community life; and the provision of additional community based services for families.

In keeping with the spirit of partnership which informs the way in which these community development programmes are managed in the Department, a working group representative of the local community development groups and other interests and expertise in the child care area is being established to advise on the detailed design of this scheme and, in particular, issues such as criteria for applications, technical support needs, service standards, staff issues, etc.

The intention is that the working group will be convened shortly and the availability of the grants will be advertised more widely once the detailed scheme has been drawn up and agreed. Given the need to allow sufficient time for local groups to draw up and submit applications, I anticipate that I will be in a position to commence allocation of moneys under the scheme in April.

Top
Share