Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of child benefit payments; the extent to which this has fluctuated over the past two years and is likely to so do in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48993/21]
View answerChild benefit is the principal way the State assists families with the costs of raising children. It is paid in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years, or to the age of 18 in respect of children who are in full-time education or who have a disability.
The total number of child benefit recipients for September 2021 was 633,270 in respect of 1.2 million children.
The number of recipients has consistently remained at between 630,000 and 640,000 over the last two years with only minor fluctuations each month. The Department does not expect to see any significant increases or decreases in the number of recipients in the coming years.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
