Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
206. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend child benefit for those continuing in secondary education but who have turned 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40859/23]
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.
Any plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of children aged 18 years and over who may still be in post-primary education will be considered as part of the overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
• Increase for a Qualified Child (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, where the child is in second level education.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
