The trend of Irish parents deferring their children’s entry into school is gaining pace, as per recent statistics. Over the past two decades, there has been a consistent uplift in the average age of junior infants. This tendency has gained speed recently, with the percentage of children beginning primary school at the age of four or below falling from 46% in 2002 to a historic low of under 17% in 2022, as depicted by Department of Education data.
This shift can be attributed to several key factors, including the 2010 launch of the free preschool scheme and its subsequent enlargement to two years in 2016. This scheme permits children to use the preschool services from 3 up to the age of 5½.
Furthermore, while the age of school enrolment begins at four in Ireland, compulsory education doesn’t start until six. This is contrary to most EU nations where school admittance typically doesn’t happen until the children turn six or older. Countries like Finland and Sweden, classified as Nordic, start their primary education at seven.
A knock-on effect of this postponed school initiation is that most children will conclude secondary school at the age of 19, with a rising fraction of 20-year-olds completing this level. The proliferation of the optional fourth year, referred to as transition year, also contributes to this trend. The participation in transition year has seen remarkable growth since its inception, and it is now provided in nearly all secondary schools. This school year has seen a rise in transition year enrolments, from 35% in 1994/1995 to 80% in 2023/24.
In response to the maturing age trend in education, the Government has resolved to extend child benefits until the age of 19. This development, which commenced from May 1st, enables child benefit support to anyone in full-time education or living with a disability up to the defined age. This measure was effectuated following Cabinet approval, secured by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.
It’s projected that around 60,000 children each year will be positively impacted by the newly introduced measure. Ms Humphreys conveyed that families, currently not receiving payments whose child is either over 18 and in full-time education, or has a disability, can expect such payments to be resumed.
In the near future, families set to benefit from the scheme will receive personal notifications from the Department of Social Protection. However, no instalments can be made retroactively once the scheme commences in May, hence no compensation will be extended for any period preceding May 2024.
Parents or guardians are exempted from reapplication, provided the child is a full-time student and a valid education certificate is maintained with the department. Once this certificate is confirmed, payments will recommence from the current month. Payments will then be upheld for the duration of the education certificate till the child reaches 19 years of age, whichever happens earlier.
Child benefits will be prolonged automatically to the end of the valid education certificate or the child’s 19th birthday for those children turning 18 after May 2024. If the education certificate loses validity before the child reaches 19, a new certification will be given to the parent or guardian before the expiration. To resume the child benefit, the completed document needs to be returned.
If the department requires an updated education certificate, they will reach out to the parent or guardian directly.