Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1064. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department intends to restore child benefit for children in full-time third level education beyond 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. From May 2024, the payment was extended and now it continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education, or have a disability.

Estimated expenditure on the scheme will be approximately €2.2 billion in 2025.

Families on low incomes may be able to avail of a number of social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:

• Child Support Payments with primary social welfare payments;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance where the child is at second level.