John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the newborn baby grants scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8596/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A newborn baby grant of €280 was announced in Budget 2025 to be paid to families of babies born on or after 1st December 2024. This grant is paid alongside but in addition to the first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140. So parents of newborns will receive a total first payment of €420 to help them with the immediate and upfront costs of welcoming a new baby into their home.

The Benefit is payable in respect of newborn babies from the month after birth. Parents of children born in one month, therefore, can receive the Child Benefit payment, including the newborn grant, from the next month onwards.

It is important to note that, as the newborn baby grant is paid automatically with Child Benefit payments, there is no additional application for the grant, so parents of new babies do not need to do anything to receive the grant.

The first payments issued on 11th February to over 4,400 customers in respect of 4,522 children and included payments for children born on or after 1^st December last year. To date, 6,345 customers have been paid the new-born baby grant in respect of 6,448 children.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.