Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003

Award of child benefit in certain cases.

11.—Section 247 (as amended by section 31 of the Act of 2000) of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following after subsection (3):

“(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (3) and subject to subsection (5), where a person is in receipt of child benefit, the Minister may provide for the award of child benefit to that person in respect of a second or subsequent child on receipt of the information that may be prescribed, verified in the manner that may be prescribed, where the Minister is satisfied that the information is adequate to ensure that the award is made in accordance with this Act.

(5) In the case of an award made under subsection (4), any question which arises subsequently in relation to whether child benefit is or is not payable, or in relation to who is entitled to receive child benefit, shall be referred to a deciding officer for decision.”.