Standing Orders and child benefit
Deputy O’Dea asks when promised Standing Orders changes and an EU initiative on child benefit for non-resident children will proceed. The Minister refers the first issue to the Whips and the second to the Social Protection Minister; the Chair says non-legislative matters should be raised by parliamentary question.
I extend my good wishes to the Minister. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to change Standing Orders to provide for at least a fortnight between different Stages of a Bill. Six months ago, the Taoiseach told me this was about to be introduced but it has not been. When is it proposed to happen?
The programme also states:
We will raise the issue of payment of child benefit in respect of non-resident children at EU level, and seek to have the entitlement modified...
Has this been raised at EU level and has the Government had any success with it?
Comment on this
It is a matter for the Whips to arrange the change to Standing Orders.
The second question is more appropriate for the Minister for Social Protection.
Comment on this
I thought it was the Ceann Comhairle who ruled what was in order and what was not.
