Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

176 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals his Department has in relation to doubling of the child benefit in respect of twins in a family, in view of the added financial hardship on such families. [16105/00]

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

I have set out the position in relation to the issue of child benefit – CB – entitlements and multiple births on a number of occasions to the House in the past. The position is that, prior to the introduction of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, CB was payable at double the normal rate for each child where three or more children were born together.

In the case of twins, CB 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. First, the rate of CB payable in respect of twins was increased to 150% of the normal CB rate; second, the £500 grants, which previously were confined to families with twins, were extended to include also families with multiple births of three or more children. These measures took effect in September 1998 at a full-year cost of £4.8 million.

In the interim, I have also provided for substantial additional investments in the CB scheme. The 1999 budget provided for an additional full year investment in the scheme of over £40 million, while last December's budget provides for a full-year investment of almost £106 million. From September of this year, the basic CB 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, of course, families with twins and represent, in my view, the most effective use of the available resources. The cost of providing for the double CB payments for twins is estimated at £5.5 million in a full year.