John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

506. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if parents of Irish babies born through surrogacy can avail of the newborn baby grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35206/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government was delighted to introduce a new baby grant of €280 as part of Budget 2025. This new payment will assist parents and adoptive parents with the costs associated with new babies and newly adopted children. It will provide additional financial support to a family to ensure adequate resources and that the material needs of a child are met.

The Newborn Baby Grant is a once-off payment paid to the qualified person, provided that person did not become so qualified on a date later than one month after the birth of the child, or, in the case of adoption, one month after the day of placement of the qualified child, and as long as the date of birth or the date of placement of that qualified child falls on or after 1 December 2024.

Currently, in accordance with Section 220 (1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a qualified person shall be deemed to be a person with whom a qualified child normally resides. The qualified person must therefore satisfy normal residency with the qualified child in line with Regulation 159 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007.

To receive Child Benefit in Ireland, and subsequently, the Newborn Baby Grant, the qualified person must also be habitually resident in the State.

These conditions apply equally to all applicants for the Newborn Baby Grant, irrespective of the circumstances of the child’s birth. There are no specific conditions or restrictions with regards to children born through surrogacy. However, if the Deputy is aware of a particular case, could I ask that he bring it to the attention of my Officials.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.