Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
425. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the increases to the qualified child payments as announced in budget 2021 will take effect; the number of families that will benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42102/20]
View answerIncreases for a Qualified Child (IQCs) are paid in addition to many weekly social welfare payments. These payments do not of themselves constitute a specific social welfare scheme and entitlement to the appropriate primary adult payment must be established in the first instance.
As of October 2020, there are an estimated 337,699 children supported by an increase for a qualified child.
As part of Budget 2021, I provided for an increase to the rate of payment for children aged over 12 of €5 bringing this weekly payment to €45 per week. For children aged under 12 the payment will increase by €2 to €38 per week.
The necessary legislative provisions to enable these increases are included in the Social Welfare Bill 2020 which is now before the Oireachtas. The increases will take effect from January 2021.
