Vol. 426 No. 5
95 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason child dependant allowance payable in respect of a child who is between the age of 18 and 21 years and receiving full-time education is not payable to a person in receipt of unemployment benefit when in fact it is payable to those in receipt of long term unemployment assistance; and whether he has any proposals to rectify this anomaly.
Changes in recent years in the range of supports for children under the social welfare system have been designed to direct any available resources in the most effective way to assist families in greatest need, while simplifying as far as possible the range of supports available.
The rates of child dependant allowances payable with social welfare weekly supports have been increased significantly. Since July 1992 the minimum allowance has been £12.50 per week. The number of different child dependant allowance payment rates has been reduced from 36 to 3.
Child dependant allowances in respect of all children up to 18 years are paid with social welfare payments, including short term payments such as unemployment benefit, which is payable for a maximum of 15 months. However, in recognition of the additional burden of providing for children over 18 in full-time education, particularly for people who are long term dependent on social welfare, the age limit of 18 was raised to 21 in these cases.
Any proposal to increase the age limit from 18 years for short term payments would have significant cost implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context and having regard to the other demands on available resources.
