Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

662. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children on child benefit payments; and the way that number has been affected by the extension of payments to those in full-time education up to their 19th birthday. [51915/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16. You can also receive Child Benefit 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 scheme was expanded in May 2024 to include children up to the month of their 19th birthday who are in full-time education. At the end of August 2025, there were 1,273,141 children on a Child Benefit claim. Of these, approximately 65,000 were aged 18.