Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
369. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the approximate cost of extending child benefit for a period of six months and one year respectively, in the event of the death of a qualifying child based on available data from 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67583/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe death of a child is always a tragedy and the difficulties that parents and families experience as a result should not be underestimated.
The Department recognises the need for a transition period during which people can grieve and plan for a life following the death of a family member. If a person is in receipt of a primary social welfare payment which includes a Child Support Payment and, tragically, that child dies, the Child Support Payment will continue for six weeks after the child's death.
Whilst the Department is appreciative of the difficulties families face in such circumstances, currently there is no provision to pay Child Benefit after the death of a child. The Child Benefit payment ceases once the Department is notified of the death.
Our records show that there were 171 children in receipt of Child Benefit who sadly passed away during 2024.
Assuming that each child was a single birth, i.e. the parents were in receipt of €140 per month in Child Benefit, the approximate costs for continuance of payment for six months and a year respectively after their passing is shown in the table below.
|
Number of Beneficiaries |
Monthly cost at rate of €140/month |
6 month cost (€) |
12 month cost (€) |
|
171 |
€23,940 |
€143,640 |
€287,280 |
Where appropriate, the Department also provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. An application can also be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses.
Both the Child Support Payment and Additional Needs Payment are targeted measures designed to assist customers experiencing financial difficulty. In contrast, Child Benefit is a universal payment which is not dependant on means or PRSI contributions.
The Department regularly reviews all of its schemes in order to ensure that they are still delivering on their policy aims and objectives. Any changes to Child Benefit would have to be considered in a wider policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.
