Child Benefit For 18-year-old Students In Full-Time Education.

Child benefit payments will be extended to include 18-year-olds, latter who remain in full-time education, with effect from May 1st next.

Ms Heather Humphreys (Minister for Social Protection) is expected to bring this proposal to Cabinet this morning.

This measure, which will also apply to children with a disability, was previously announced in Budget 2024, but was scheduled to begin from next September.

Ms Humphreys is expected to now inform the Cabinet today that the Department is in a position to implement this measure with effect from May 1st, next.

She will use social welfare legislation; same due before the Seanad this week, to implement this change.

The new policy change was initially designed as a cost-of-living measure.