Vol. 508 No. 1
693 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether a parent who has lost his job through no fault of his own should fail to receive the same support for his daughter aged over 18 years and at secondary school as that of a person on unem ployment allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18096/99]
Child dependant allowances are payable to recipients of social welfare payments in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years. Where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child dependant allowances are payable where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. However, those receiving short-term unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit or other short-term payments do not receive child dependant allowance for children over 18 years. This differentiation is in recognition of the fact that families with children on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.
Extending the age limit for child dependant allowances for short-term payments would have cost implications and therefore could only be considered in a budgetary context.
