Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a child who has turned 18-years-old since May of this year, but will be in full-time education in 2024, will be entitled to the extension to the child benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45088/23]

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, full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

The extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education is a significant change to the Child Benefit payment which will require significant technical and operational changes before implementation. For this reason, the change will take effect from September 2024. Where a child in full-time education turns 18 in the meantime, they will be covered by the extension from September 2024 until they turn 19.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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367. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rationale that disallows those who qualified for State pension through the invalidity pension, to be entitled to a bonus for people on the invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45110/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2024, the Social Protection budget, which is the largest in the history of the State, will assist families and vulnerable citizens through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.

The measures introduced include the provision of a one-off €400 Cost-of-Living lump sum, which will be paid in November 2023 to recipients of the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer's Support Grant. Recipients who are in receipt of one (or more) of these payments will qualify for the €400 payment.

Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by PRSI contributions. Currently, the maximum personal rate of Invalidity Pension is €225.50. It is a working aged payment paid to people between the ages of 18 and up to 66 years.

By contrast, the State Pension, whether Contributory or Non-Contributory, is not a working age payment. It is paid to those who have reached pensionable age 66. Currently, the maximum weekly personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) is €265.30.

Persons in receipt of a State Pension are not eligible for the one-off €400 Cost-of-Living lump sum announced in Budget 2024.

However, persons in receipt of the State Pension will receive the following:

• A €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all State pensions from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate;
• A €300 cost-of-living lump sum for those getting the Fuel Allowance, to be paid in November 2023;
• A €200 cost-of-living lump sum to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase, to be paid in November 2023;
• A Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023; and
• A January cost-of-living bonus for pensioners to be paid in 2024.