2066. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any policy analysis, review or consideration has been undertaken regarding the suspension, reduction or withdrawal of child benefit payments where a child has engaged in repeated criminal activity; the legal, constitutional and social welfare issues identified in relation to any such proposal; whether either Department has examined the potential deterrent effect of such a measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62126/26]

Child Benefit is a universal monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years, or up to 19 years where they are in full-time education or have a disability. The benefit is currently paid to over 660,000 families in respect of approximately 1.3 million children at an estimated cost of over €2.2 billion in 2026.

The purpose of Child Benefit is to assist parents with the costs associated with raising children and to contribute towards alleviating child poverty.

The conditions for the Child Benefit scheme are set out in legislation, which include that the benefit is not payable where a child is detained in an institution or undergoing imprisonment or detention in legal custody.

There are no plans to further review this policy relating to the suspension, reduction or withdrawal of Child Benefit where a child has engaged in repeated criminal activity, nor has my Department conducted any policy analysis, reviews or otherwise in this area. Legislation dealing with children who are found in breach of the criminal law falls under the remit of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.