Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Currently, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability.

I have secured approval to bring forward, from September to May, the extension of Child Benefit for 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or who have a disability.

Child Benefit is paid in respect of 1.2 million children and eligibility will be extended for all of these children from May 2024. Child Benefit will be paid to anyone who is 18 and in full-time education (including 3rd level), or who has a disability, up until their 19th birthday.

While a full county breakdown will not be available until the measure takes effect in May, it is expected the measure will benefit approximately 60,000 children annually.