Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In budget 2026, we introduced record increases in the child support payment, which are making a direct impact for families as shown by the figures I have provided.

In relation to a targeted child benefit payment, I want to announce to the House that I am introducing a public consultation, opening next Tuesday, 5 May, and look forward to the input of Members of the House around that. It will be aligned with a consultation on a working age payment. Both payments are aligned and will have impact. We will review what comes back from that consultation.

Through the Taoiseach's intervention, we have a child poverty unit in his Department which is driving all of us across government to take the appropriate action. We can take action in the Department of Social Protection but it also requires input from the Departments of children, health, transport and education. That is also happening. We will be in a position to make reports on that in the context of the Taoiseach's office and the roadmap for social inclusion. I will be publishing a new roadmap before the summer recess, which will have a specific focus on child poverty on a cross-government basis.

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