Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
866. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline whether any additional supports are currently available to parents who give birth to twins, or other multiple births; if there are any plans to expand these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12593/26]
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. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 660,000 families in respect of approximately 1.3 million children. Annual expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.
The standard monthly rate of €140 for Child Benefit applies to each child. Twins are paid at one and a half times the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double the standard monthly rate for each child, that is, €280 per child.
These increased payments continue for as long as all of the children remain qualified. The additional monthly premia in respect of multiple births acknowledge the existence of additional costs for parents of multiple births.
Parent’s Benefit is a payment for employed people, who are on Parent’s Leave from work, and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Nine weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents. The leave and benefit must be availed of within two years of the child's birth or adoption.
In the case of multiple births, one period of Parent's Leave can be claimed by each eligible parent who may also be eligible for Parent's Benefit during that period. This is in line with Maternity and Paternity Leave and Benefit schemes.
When the current durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Benefit are combined this adds up to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family.
While I have responsibility for the Benefits which are associated with Maternity, Paternity, and Parent's Leave, my colleague the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality has responsibility for the current associated Leave and the separate Parental Leave scheme, which is unpaid.
Any decision to increase the rate and durations of these schemes would have to be to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
