asked the Minister for Health if a double maternity grant is payable on twin births.

A maternity cash grant of £4 is payable to an eligible woman in respect of each confinement in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act, 1953. This means that only one grant is payable irrespective of the number of children born in each confinement.

I propose to bring section 64 of the Health Act, 1970, into operation on 1st October next. From that date the present allowance of £4 per confinement will be increased to £8 and double that amount will be paid in respect of twins.