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, CB was payable at 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.
In the Social Welfare Act, 1998, I introduced two key additional measures designed to improve the overall package of benefits available to parents of multiple births. 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. Both these measures took effect in September 1998 at a full-year cost of £4.8 million and fully fulfilled our commitments made on the issue prior to the election.
In the interim, I have provided for very substantial investments in the CB scheme. The 1999 budget provided for a full-year investment of over £40 million, while the most recent budget provided for a full-year investment of almost £106 million, bringing total investment in the scheme up to some £575 million annually. Additionally, the Government has made a commitment to substantially increase the payment in the lifetime of the PPF, with a priority focus towards £100 per month for third and subsequent children.