Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There is something of a mix-up in this regard and the matter should be clarified.

I recall that when the measure was announced, the Taoiseach stated he did not wish to publicise it too much in case others might hear about it and consequently lodge claims. Obviously, they have heard about it. When one announces such a scheme, it exists for the benefit of those for whom it is intended. The Taoiseach stated this scheme was intended to help parents of all nationalities meet the high cost of child care in Ireland. If the Taoiseach wanted to link it to child benefit, he could have done so. However, it was set up as a child care cost payment for the benefit of those with child care costs in Ireland. Nevertheless, it is now payable to children living abroad.

I again ask whether the Taoiseach has an estimate of the numbers of children abroad who will benefit from these child payments, which were intended to defray costs in Ireland? To clarify, I refer to the early childhood supplement and not to the child benefit scheme. I repeat that although the intention was to pay the supplement in May, it will not be paid until September. As Deputy Paul McGrath has pointed out, families on the margins now suffer seriously due to escalated costs.

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