Laois families in line for cash boost as changes to social welfare payment kick in next week

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced today (Wednesday, May 1) that Child Benefit is to be paid in respect of 18-year-olds from next week.

Minster Humphrey secured an agreement to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds as part of Budget 2024 with the measure initially due to be implemented from September.

However, in February, the Minister announced that her Department was in a position to introduce the changes in May – four months earlier than initially planned.

Speaking on the announcement Minster Humphreys stated:

“This was a Budget priority for me with the measure initially due to come into effect in September. 

“However, in February I announced that we were in a position to implement the change four months earlier from May.”

“With many children now starting primary school at age five, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18-year- olds still in secondary education. 

“We expect that some 60,000 children will benefit annually as a result of this significant change.”