Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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207. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what type of payment a person (details supplied) is receiving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45671/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education subject to meeting the qualifying conditions.

The person concerned was in receipt of CA from 28 January 2010.

The person concerned made an application to participate in the BTEA and was successful. They have been in receipt of BTEA since 2018, a scheme which is paid through CA.

Due to a clerical error, correspondence issued to the person concerned referring to CA and the Carer's Support Grant (CSG).

I can confirm that an amended letter issued to the person concerned referring to their BTEA payment.

The person concerned notified the Department they were taking up full-time employment and, as a result, their BTEA payment has now ceased.

The person concerned was notified on 16 October 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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208. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to reconsider the timeline for the expansion of the children's allowance to include 18-year-olds in full-time education; if the basis for decision to delay this change to September 2024 could be outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45761/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education was one of my key priorities as part of Budget 2024.

This is a significant change to the Child Benefit payment which will require technical and operational changes to the social welfare system 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.

With many children now starting primary school at age 5 together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18 year olds still in secondary education. I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18 Years Olds in Full-Time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.