FAMILIES with three or more children could soon be receiving larger Child Benefit payments under new plans being examined by the Government.
The move is being looked at to try and boost birth rates, it has been reported.
This week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed that the Government is considering a second-tier Child Benefit payment targeted at poorer families in a bid to combat child poverty.
The €140 flat payment will still be paid to everyone, regardless of income.
The €140 payment per child is currently the same regardless of the number of children in the family.
However, a higher top-up rate could also be paid for the third and subsequent children to encourage more births.
A policy paper is currently being worked on to set out the options ahead of the budget.
Other areas being examined to reduce child poverty levels are payments for children of primary-school age, lone parents, working families on low incomes and children with disabilities.
The Taoiseach has also pointed to initiatives such as free school meals, free schoolbooks, childcare subsidies and broader social welfare payments, such as the Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) and the Child Support Payment.
He said: “We are looking at a range of measures, in respect of the next budget, to bring down child poverty.”
Child Benefit payments are universal, and are paid to parents regardless of their income – but it has risen by less than €10 in the last 20 years.
The monthly payment for a first child was €131.60 in 2004 and stands at €140 now, just six per cent higher.
CHILD BENEFIT PAYMENT DATES
THERE are five Child Benefit payments left in the year.
- July 1
- August 5 – may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday
- September 2
- October 7
- November 4
The Child Benefit rate reached €166 during the Celtic Tiger era, but was reduced during the recession to its current rate.
Research by the State’s economic think tank looked at the effect of bringing in a second tier of Child Benefit to address child poverty, at a cost of €800m.
NO SUMMER DOUBLE CHILD BENEFIT BOOST
A DOUBLE €280 August Child Benefit promised by Fine Gael leader Simon Harris last year is unlikely to hit the accounts of the over 650,000 Irish families who benefit from the boost.
In November 2024, then Taoiseach Simon Harris proposed a permanent double Child Benefit payment every August in a bid to gain votes from hard-pressed families.
In a post on Instagram, he said: “A double child benefit payment every August to help parents with costs, particularly around the costs of schools and the additional costs parents often face over the summer.
“Please share to spread the word. I need your support for Fine Gael so I can get on with delivering on this agenda.”
However, his proposed August double payment is unlikely to happen.
When asked this month if the double August Child Benefit is being considered, the Department of Social Protection confirmed that the boost is not outlined in the Programme for Government.
