Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to reinstate the multiple payment of child benefit to parents of twins, triplets, and so on, which were previously given at primary and post-primary school entry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24248/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their eighteenth birthday who are in full-time education. Payment up to age 18 is also made in respect of children who have a disability. Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.1 billion in 2023.

Since 1 January 2014, the standard monthly rate of €140 for Child Benefit applies to each child. Twins are paid at one and a half times the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double the standard monthly rate for each child, that is €280 per child.

These increased payments continue for as long as all of the children remain qualified. The additional monthly premia in respect of multiple births acknowledges the existence of additional costs for parents of multiple births.

There are currently no plans to reintroduce the multiple births grant to parents of twins, triplets and quads. This measure was discontinued in January 2012 following a value for money report.

Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of targeted social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22 including the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides targeted assistance to families on low incomes with the costs associated with returning to school each autumn. In 2022, over 50,000 families in respect of 273,263 children benefitted from this scheme at a cost of over €85 million.

I am pleased to say that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has been increased by €100 for each eligible child, as a cost-of-living measure in 2023. This will bring this year's rate for under 12s to €260 per eligible child, with €385 paid for each eligible child aged 12-22.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.