Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

255 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current entitlements for married women minding their children in relation to receiving credit contributions when not working; when these entitlements were introduced; the way in which people can start this procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter out-lining the proposed improvements, if any. [13438/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. D. Ahern)

From 6 April 1994, time spent working full-time in the home rearing young children up to six years of age or caring for an incapacitated person may be disregarded for the purpose of calculating the yearly average condition in determining entitlement to contributory old age pension. A maximum of 20 years may be disregarded for this purpose. A person is also allowed to engage in part-time work outside the home and earn up to £30 a week and still benefit from this scheme.

The Social Welfare Act, 1996, provided for an increase in the age of children being cared for under this scheme from six to 12 years. This improvement is effective from the contribution year 1995-96 onwards. A provision allowing for the award of credited contributions in the year in which a person commences or ceases to be a homemaker is also included in the legislation governing the scheme. These improvements will make it easier for married women minding their children and other homemakers to qualify for the award of an old age contributory pension.

Improvements to the scheme have also been introduced with the aim of making it easier for homemakers to qualify for old age contributory pension. All carers may be eligible, not just those in receipt of a carer's allowance. A person receiving carer's allowance and-or child benefit may be awarded credits or a disregard for the period of caring. However, if a person is not in receipt of a carer's allowance or child benefit then she-he may still qualify for disregard for the "homemaking years". She-he may also receive homemaker's credits in the year she-he commenced and the year she-he ceased homemaking.

Any person who leaves the workforce on or after 6 April 1994 to care for a child or an incapacitated person may have these factors taken into account when the yearly average number of contributions for old age contributory pension is being calculated.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

256 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the discrimination in the treatment of twins compared to triplets in relation to children's allowance and child benefit; the number of sets of twins which claim these allowances; and the annual cost if the twins rate was increased to the triplets rate or half-way between single child and triplet rate. [13439/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. D. Ahern)

Child benefit is a universal payment which is payable in respect of all children up to the age of 16 years and continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19, who are in full-time education or who have a disability.

In recognition of the special difficulties faced by parents in the more exceptional circumstances of the birth of triplets, quadruplets, etc., child benefit is payable at double the normal monthly rate for each such child, so long as at least three of the children remain qualified. In addition, a grant of £300 is payable on the birth of triplets, while a grant of £400 is payable on the birth of quadruplets or more.

While the birth of twins is a much more common occurrence than the birth of triplets, etc., the particular problems associated with rearing twins have, nevertheless, been acknowledged under the child benefit scheme. A grant of £500 is provided for on the birth of twins and an additional grant of £500 is payable when the twins reach the age of four years and again at 12 years.

Child benefit is currently payable in respect of an estimated 11,500 sets of twins. Based on the increased payment rates due to take effect from September this year, the additional annual cost of paying child benefit at double rate in respect of twins is estimated to be in the region of £9.16 million. The additional cost of paying one and a half times the rate of child benefit in respect of twins is estimated at £4.58 million in a full year.

Given the substantial costs associated with paying increased rates of child benefit in respect of twins, any proposals along these lines would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of the other priorities and commitments contained in the new Programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, and in Partnership 2000.