Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
340. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending child benefit to all children aged 18 years or under, including those in the international protection process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing child benefit by 10% and extending payment to all children aged 18 years or under, including those in the international protection process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28858/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.
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 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. The extension of child benefit to 18 year olds was one of my key priorities in Budget 2024 and I am very pleased that we were able to bring that change in from May this year.
Child Benefit is currently in payment in respect of approximately 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of €2.1 billion for 2024.
Child Benefit is paid at €140 per month, with twins being paid at 150% per child and triplets being paid at 200% per child. The cost of increasing Child Benefit by 10% would result in additional annual expenditure on the scheme of approximately €217 million based on the estimated number of recipients in 2024. It should be noted that this estimate is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
Where a child has a disability, Child Benefit continues to be payable until the child's 19th birthday whether or not the child is in full-time education. Otherwise, 16, 17 and 18 year olds must be in full time education in order for the payment to continue. There are currently no plans to extend Child Benefit in respect of 16, 17 or 18 year olds who are not in full-time education or training. It is important that the Child Benefit payment reflects our policy objective of encouraging young people to remain in education or to avail of the very many training options that are available to them including those available through YouthReach and the Community Training Centres.
To receive Child Benefit in Ireland, parents must be habitually resident in the State. Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and are therefore not eligible for Child Benefit.
Applicants for International Protection, who are awaiting a decision on their application, are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Those who accept such accommodation are provided with material reception conditions, including food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State.
My Department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to protection applicants, who reside in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services, in order to meet incidental, personal expenses. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 16,000 adults and 3,500 children residing in IPAS provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.
It is not possible to accurately estimate the cost of extending Child Benefit in respect of any children not already covered by the scheme.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
