Child Benefit is to be extended to many 18-year-olds' families from May 1st.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will bring the proposals to Cabinet this morning, and it will impact 18-year-olds in full time education or who have a disability.

It is set to benefit families in respect of around 60,000 18-year-olds up until their 19th birthday.

It had been initially planned to be introduced from September 2024.

However it is understood Minister Humphreys will tell Cabinet today that the Department is now in a position to implement the measure from May 1st.

Child Benefit is currently set at €140 a month per child and paid on the first Tuesday of every month.

It is a universal payment, which means every parent is entitled to it regardless of their income.

Parents of twins receive one and a half times the normal monthly rate for each child and parents of triplets get double the typical rate.

Main image: Teenager with an adult. Image: Daisy-Daisy / Alamy Stock Photo