Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
146. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline his plans to introduce a targeted child benefit payment during the lifetime of this Government; the work his Department has carried out on developing such a payment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21716/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild 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 nineteenth 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.
These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with children.
Addressing child poverty is a key priority for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government 2025, 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 is progressing 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.
