Families eligible for children's allowance will no longer need to apply for the allowance at the district offices.

Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said that the government has simplified processes to cut out bureaucracy.

To date, parents first needed to register their newborn at the Public Registry and then apply for children’s allowance at the district offices.

Eligible families will now automatically receive the minimum children’s allowance without having to apply.

Families who are on social benefits and who, therefore, have already given their details to the government are also no longer required to apply at district offices.

Within 10 days of registering their child, they will start receiving the minimum children’s allowance. Once the entire process is sorted out, the allowance will be topped up if they qualify for more.

Those families who do not surpass €24,620 per annum but who are not on social benefits will receive a letter upon registering their first child instructing them to supply the government with the necessary information, including their FS3 or profit or loss account as well as their bank account number.

Mr Farrugia also said that those who were applying for their social security number could now do so online. Applications for tribunal appeals on social security decisions can also be carried out online.