It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 348, 354, 357 and 360 together.
Section 194 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, provides for the award of double child benefit payments in respect of a qualified child whose birth was part of a multiple birth of three or more children. This provision was first introduced in the Social Wefare Act, 1965.
Prior to the last election, we gave a commitment to increase the level of child benefit payable for twins. Section 194, as amended by section 6 of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, now provides that the rate of child benefit payable in respect of a qualified child, whose birth was part of a multiple birth of two children, will be 150 per cent of the normal child benefit rate.
The Deputies will be aware that I introduced this latter measure, which came into effect in September of this year, in recognition of the additional difficulties which may be faced by parents of twins, thereby fulfilling my election commitments. The full-year cost of this measure amounts to some £4.8 million.
I have received a number of representations on the question of equalising the rates of child benefit payable in respect of twins and of children whose birth was part of a multiple birth of three or more children.