Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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439. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason she has delayed an extra payment of child benefit to June while other cost-of-living measures announced by her Department recently are being paid in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11255/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2023, I secured a significant Social Welfare package of almost €2.2 billion. As part of that, one of my priorities was to provide support for families and children. People in receipt of Child Benefit received a double payment in respect of each child in November 2022. This measure benefitted approximately 638,000 recipients in respect of over 1.2 million children at an estimated cost of over €170 million.

I also provided for the weekly rates of the Increase for a Qualified Child to increase by €2 to €42 per week in the case of children under age 12 and by €2 to €50 per week in the case of children aged 12 or over. These increases took effect from January at an estimated cost of €30.4 million in 2023.

The Government recognises the challenges of rising prices and last month announced details of a new cost-of-living measures package worth €1.2 billion. These measures include a lump sum Child Benefit payment of €100 in respect of each child in June at a cost of €122 million. I have also provided for a one-off increase of €100 to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. This will benefit 153,000 recipients, in respect of 273,000 children at a cost of €27.3 million. These payments are being made during the summer months to support parents with back to school costs.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.