Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
598. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department will consider a proposal to extend the child benefit payment for a number of months for families who lose a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34435/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild 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.
Currently there is no provision to pay Child Benefit after the death of a child. The Child Benefit payment ceases once the department is notified of the death. I appreciate the difficult circumstances families face in the event of losing a child.
The Department regularly reviews all of its schemes in order to ensure that they are still delivering on their policy aims and objectives. Any changes to Child Benefit would have to be considered in a wider policy and budgetary context. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue with me.
I trust this clarify the position for the deputy.
