Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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566. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of issuing a double child benefit payment to parents on the birth of a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46917/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The estimated full year cost of issuing a double child benefit payment to parents on the birth of a child is €8,668,240.

This estimate is based on the number of child benefit claims (61,303) received in respect of first and additional children in 2017. It assumes the payment of €140, representing an additional months payment in respect of these children. As multiple births, accounting for 1,226 of this number already receive child benefit at one and a half times of the normal rate this has to be factored into the cost.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.