Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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462. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will clarify whether returning review letters for child benefit can still be sent by freepost, or if individuals are required to pay for the postage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24354/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

Child Benefit scheme stopped the provision of freepost envelopes to customers in 2017.

In cases where a customer writes freepost on an envelope or uses a freepost envelope from another scheme, it is deemed appropriate from both a Customer Service and a Data Protection perspective that the Department accept the charges associated with same and ensure the documents are directed to the appropriate scheme area within the Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.