asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain the position where a children's allowance is being paid in respect of a qualified child who is undergoing a recognised apprenticeship and who through no fault of his or her own is made redundant; and if he will in these circumstances order that children's allowances be paid up to the date of the child's 18th birthday.

Childrens' allowances are payable in respect of children between the ages of 16 and 18 years who are (a) in full time education, (b) apprentices or (c) incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental infirmity.

Under these conditions any termination of apprenticeship whether voluntary or involuntary results in the cessation of the allowance unless the child resumes full time education or is incapacitated.

These conditions are laid down in the legislation and a change in them such as that suggested by the Deputy would require a statutory amendment.

I have noted the Deputy's suggestion for consideration in the context of any future review of the children's allowances scheme.

Does the Minister not consider it very unfair that a child of a poor family, whose parents have not got the money to send him to school, and to put him into a recognised local apprenticeship, is let go if, through no fault of the child's, the company go bust? This is total discrimination against this child. Many young boys or girls may find themselves in this predicament. Would it not be easier to simply say that this is an injustice and we will have to correct it? Would that not be the honest straightforward thing to do?

It might be the most straightforward thing to do but it would require a statutory amendment to existing legislation. Any change in that respect will have to be considered when a review of the Childrens Allowance Act is taken into consideration.

Are we not about to pass the Social Welfare Bill in a few moments? There will be no obstruction from this side of the House and we will work in co-operation with the Minister and give him all Stages in half-an-hour. Why can the Minister not change the statute to allow this?

He did not get permission from the computer.

May I have a reply to my question?

I have already replied to it.

Will the Minister not change the law? That is not a very difficult thing to do.

It is not possible to do that at this stage.

I am not asking that it be done now. Can we have an assurance that it will be done at some stage?

I cannot give the Deputy any such assurance. It can be considered when the Childrens Allowance Act is being amended.