Hundreds of Donegal families are to benefit from the decision by Cabinet to approve the extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or who have a disability.
Welcoming the move, Minister Charlie McConalogue, said the initial plan was to introduce this measure back in September.
“Because of IT changes, it will now be available from the start of May. This decision is hugely important to families all over Donegal, he said.
“This change that will be introduced in May will help families who have children still at secondary school, and it’s another practical way of assisting families with the rise in the cost of living.”
Minister McConalogue said the change takes into account the significant number of 18-year-olds who are still in second level education. Very often, the final year in secondary school tends to be the most expensive.
“The change in the payment acknowledges that many children start school at the age of five and complete transition year, therefore remaining in full-time education for longer,” he added.
“In the past, teenagers dropped out of the education system in the final year of secondary school due to financial reasons, so this is a decision that addresses this issue as well.”
Child benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of every month, and the first of the new payments are due on Tuesday, May 7th. The current child benefit rate is €140 per month.
