The first payments of child benefit for 18-year-olds in Donegal who are in full-time education, or who have a disability, are being processed this week.
A breakdown of the figures shows that 2,140 18-year-olds in Donegal qualify for the payment if they are still in education and currently certified.
Commenting on the new measure, Donegal Minister, Chalie McConalogue said: “This was due to be introduced back in September and is something I very much welcome.
“The payment will be a big help to households throughout Donegal and acknowledges that many children start school at the age of five and complete transition year, therefore remain in full-time education for longer. This is another example of the government giving back to working families.”
“Up until now, child benefit payments stopped when children reached their 18th birthday. But thanks to a measure announced in Budget 2024, the government decided to extend the child benefit payments to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education, or have a disability,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine added.
Child benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of every month, and the first of the new payments is due today, Tuesday, May 7. The current child benefit rate is €140 per month.
“In the past, teenagers dropped out of the education system in the final year of secondary school due to financial reasons, so these new payments address this issue,” Minister McConalogue said.
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