Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a review of the child benefit scheme, including students still in full-time second level education after reaching their 18th birthday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24640/23]
View answerChild Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of full-time students who are over 18 years of age and in full time education. Such an extension would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of targeted social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including the Increase for a Qualified Child with primary social welfare payments.I introduced a number of Budget measures specifically for families with children, such as the double Child Benefit payment and the €500 lump sum payment to recipients of the Working Family payment. In addition, low-income families benefited from the €12 increase in the weekly personal rate for recipients of working age payments.A further €470 million package of measures to assist social welfare recipients was announced in February. These measures include a €200 lump sum which was paid in April to all long-term social welfare recipients, including families in receipt of Working Family Payment. Next month the lump sum Child Benefit payment of €100 per child will be paid, and in July there will be a one-off increase of €100 in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance.There is also financial support available for students through the Student Grant Scheme operated by the Student Universal Support Ireland. Under this scheme eligible students can achieve financial support through fee grants or maintenance grants.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
