asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, having regard to the fact that numerous recipients of children's allowances have been deprived of their benefit through the operation of Section 18 of the Children's Allowances Act, 1944, he will introduce proposals for legislation to amend the section either by extending the period during which payment may be made or by authorising the issue of a duplicate voucher.

My view in this matter is that children's allowances orders should be allowed to accumulate for longer than three months if the recipient so desires. I am, however, bound by the statute and am not empowered to extend the period without amending legislation. I have already had the matter noted for review at the first opportunity.