The children's allowance supplement will be increased for the second consecutive year, Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said on Monday. He stated that "with another €250 for each child", the allowance "will now cover €640 or €680 per year depending on the family's income". He remarked that this increase is more than what was promised in the electoral manifesto.
The Minister said that another measure will be introduced so that families will be able to qualify for improved rates of the children's allowance because, in the calculation of the allowance rate, the amount of social security contributions paid from the parents' income and the amount of income tax which has been paid will be ignored. He added that this improvement is estimated to cost around €16.5 million and will affect around 42,000 families with 63,000 children.
Falzon commented that the government believes in a "policy of continuity and building on the good that has already been done". He continued that the government remains committed to helping and supporting families.
He spoke of the in-work benefit and how in this regard, the computation of the rate of the amount of income tax paid will not be added either. He said that this will positively affect around 25,000 families with around 40,000 children under the age of 23.
The Minister said that the special allowance of €500 which is given to parents whose children are continuing with their post-secondary education will be extended for another year. He continued that this means next year, around 10,500 families will be paid the second instalment whilst parents whose children started their post-secondary education this October will be paid the first instalment.
Falzon concluded by saying that from next year, the childbirth bonus will be increased to €1,500 for the third child or more in the family. He also said that prospective parents who undergo IVF treatment, "separately from any right to paid leave", will benefit from another 100 hours of paid leave for each cycle of treatment. He stated that the prospective mother will be given 60 hours of leave, while her spouse is entitled to 40 hours.