Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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396. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a case regarding cross border child benefit (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41248/24]

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 16,17 and 18, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

The person concerned and her family reside in Northern Ireland. The customer is employed in the Republic of Ireland and her spouse is employed in Northern Ireland.

The claim therefore has to be decided under the Convention of Social Security between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (The Convention).

Under the Convention, the country of employment pays the family benefits even though the family may reside in another State. If both parents are employed in two different countries, the country of residence of the children pays the family benefits and the other State considers a supplement payment.

The supplement is the difference between the rate of UK Child Benefit and Irish Child Benefit.

The person concerned received all the cost of living increases for Child Benefit in 2023 and will receive an extra €140 in respect of each of her 3 children for the months of November and December 2024.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.