Michael Bell
Ceist:35 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has reconsidered the request by the parents of twins for additional levels of child benefit and other supports. [5737/01]
Written Answers. - Child Support.
John Perry
Ceist:314 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the measures he has in place to ensure that parents of twins receive equal treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 314 together.
Prior to the introduction of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, child benefit was payable at double the normal rate for each child where three or more children were born together. In the case of twins, child benefit was paid at the normal rate but a grant of £500 was payable at the birth of twins and further grants of £500 were payable when the twins reached the ages of 4 and 12.
In fulfilment of our pre-election commitments, I introduced two key additional measures in the Social Welfare Act, 1998, designed to improve the overall package of benefits available to parents of multiple births. First, the rate of child benefit payable in respect of twins was increased to 150% of the normal child benefit rate. Second, the £500 grants, which previously were confined to families with twins, were extended to include families with multiple births of three or more children. Both these measures took effect in September 1998 at a full year cost of some £4.8 million. The enhanced child benefit rates payable in the case of twins and other multiple births give an appropriate level of recognition within the child benefit scheme of the special nature of such births and the additional costs associated with them and fully implement the commitment made in this regard. Furthermore, the child benefit package provided in this year's budget will deliver significant gains to all families with children, including those with twins. Child benefit rates will increase by over 50% from June 2001, a full three months earlier than usual. This marks the first step in a three year programme of increases which will see Government investment in the payment rise by an additional £1 billion by 2003.
The question of providing any further enhancement of the arrangements for twins under the child benefit scheme is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context, in the light of the resources available and other competing priorities. The cost of providing for double child benefit payment for twins is estimated at some £10.2 million in a full year, based on the improved rates recently announced in the budget for 2001.