Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the current timeline for the implementation of the extension of child benefit to 18 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49324/23]

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. The measure is expected to benefit approximately 60,000 18 year olds each year at an estimated cost of €21.6 million in 2024.

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-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.

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.

There are a number of measures in the Budget which will be of benefit to the person to whom the Deputy refers. They will receive the double Child Benefit Payment in December, and as they are in receipt of Disability Allowance, before the end of the year they will also receive a Christmas bonus double week payment, a €400 cost of living lump sum, and a €100 lump sum in respect of each qualified child. From January, the personal rate of payments such as Disability Allowance will be increased by €12 bringing the maximum personal rate to €232 per week. In addition, the rate of Increase for a Qualified Child will be increased by €4 per week bringing the weekly rate to €46 for children aged under 12 and €54 per week in respect of children aged 12 or over and this can continue to be paid until the child is aged 22 where they remain in full-time education. Recipients of Disability Allowance will also receive a double week cost of living payment in January.

The School Transport Scheme is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.