Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 219

Qualified child

Section 219 defines which children qualify for child benefit, covering age limits, residency requirements, and exceptions for families serving abroad.

• A child under 16 automatically qualifies; children aged 16 to 18 qualify only if in full-time education or unable to support themselves due to a long-term physical or mental disability.
• The child must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and must not be detained in a children's detention school or held in legal custody.
• Children living abroad with a parent or guardian who is serving overseas in the Defence Forces, the civil service, an international organisation, or as a volunteer development worker can still qualify despite not being resident in the State.
• The exception also covers children living abroad with a parent or guardian who is an insured worker employed outside the State, provided Irish employment contributions remain payable under the relevant regulations.