asked the Minister for Social Welfare what arrangements, if any, can be made to have children's benefits continued where an insured person reached seventy years of age, if the children otherwise qualify.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
26.
The question of the payment of increases of benefit in respect of qualified children to recipients of old age (contributory) pensions is at present under consideration in my Department. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, increases in respect of qualified children are paid to widows, over 70 years of age, who are in receipt of widows' (contributory) pensions and allowances under the Children's Allowances Acts continue to be paid to beneficiaries after they have reached 70 years of age.
Can the Minister say if it is proposed to introduce continued benefits for children in a family, the father of which has been drawing unemployment or disability benefit, until he reaches 70 and because of the fact that there are no benefits available now, the family income drops very considerably and causes hardship? Would the Minister say that that is the proposal he is considering?
I am considering the possibility of providing increases in respect of qualified children in conjunction with the contributory old age pension benefit scheme.
In the near future?
I am considering it. It will depend on the availability of money. If the Deputy has his way, the money will not be available.
I thought there would be a different type of excuse but I suppose it is as good as any.