Child benefit for 18-year-olds
Deputy Griffin welcomes the extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education and asks when it will start. Minister Humphreys says the change takes effect from 1 May and will cover young people in education up to age 19, including those with disabilities.
I very much welcome the news today that the child benefit scheme has been extended to include 18-year-olds in full-time education. This is highly socially progressive and by my calculations, it will benefit those young adults to the tune of at least €1,680 a year. I ask the Minister to outline to the House when people can start benefiting from the changes that were agreed at Cabinet today and any other information she may have.
Comment on this
I was delighted to get approval from Cabinet today to bring forward the announcement we made in budget 2024 to extend the child benefit to those aged 18. That was due to take effect from 1 September. Today, I was able to bring it forward to 1 May. That means the parents of all children in full-time education until they reach the age of 19 will receive the child benefit payment for them. It also includes children with disabilities. Up to the age of 19, they will receive that payment provided they are in full-time education. That comes into effect from 1 May.