Social Welfare Payments

Thursday, 24 September 2026

Questions (36, 97)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

36. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to increase the Working Family Payment in the coming months. [67520/26]

View answer

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

97. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment as part of Budget 2027. [66998/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 97 together.

The Working Family Payment is a tax-free income support designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment.

As of August 2026, there were 56,687 families in receipt of Working Family payment in respect of some 112,950 children.

The Working Family Payment thresholds were increased by €60 per week for each family size in Budget 2026. The measure builds on increases applied in recent budgets. In total, income thresholds for all family sizes have increased by €244 per week since Budget 2020. These increases have ensured the scheme has extended eligibility to additional working families and increased support for existing recipients.

Decisions regarding social welfare rates and thresholds are considered as part of the annual Budget process, having regard to the overall budgetary package, available resources and Government priorities.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.