McAuliffe calls for child benefit to be extended to 19-year-olds in full-time education

Dublin North-West TD Paul McAuliffe has called for child benefit to be extended to families with children still in full-time education at the age of 19.

McAuliffe, who serves as Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson for social protection, said the move would benefit families amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“I will be suggesting to my Party colleagues tomorrow that child benefit should be extended up to the age of 19 for all those in full-time education. Given that most teenagers don’t finish the Leaving Cert until at least 18 years of age, if not 19, it’s important that their families continue to receive the payment while their teenagers are still studying.”

The TD was speaking ahead of a pre-budget meeting with his party, and he called on his colleagues in Government to increase the Household Benefits Package which he said would “go a long way in more fairly addressing the rising costs of energy that we are continuing to experience.”

He said, “Fianna Fáil priorities in the Budget will be to deliver a progressive and fair budget focused on delivering improvements for households at all income levels, especially low and middle earners.

“Our careful management of the public finances gives us the resources to help people and families with cost-of-living pressure. There will be a significant increase for people on fixed incomes including pensioners, carers and people living with a disability and a balanced taxation package will help people at all income levels.”

McAuliffe touted his party’s record in Government, saying “over the last number of months, we have seen the positive impact of the Government’s Budget 2023 and Spring Cost-of-Living measures through increases to the fuel allowance payment, the living alone allowance, the State pension payments and electricity credits.”

“I am of the view that such support needs to be further bolstered this year in Budget 2024 through an increase in the monthly payment of the Household Benefits Package and a similar lump sum payment at the beginning of the winter.

Deputy McAuliffe stated that this measure would serve as additional support for families as in some cases, it is the only social welfare payment they receive.