Written answers
Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Rates
Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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765. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a second-tier child benefit payment will be introduced for low-income families in response to the high levels of child poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3591/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. It is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. Expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.
It is important to note that, in addition to Child Benefit, families on low incomes may be able to avail of other social welfare payments:
- the Child Support Payment with primary social welfare payments;
- the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
- the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
Addressing child poverty is a key priority for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government 2025, “Securing Ireland’s Future” includes a range of measures to support children and their families.
One such commitment is to “explore a targeted Child Benefit Payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment.”
My Department will progress this work having regard to the available body of evidence, including the work undertaken previously by the ESRI, The National Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare.
I trust this clarifies the position.
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