Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
380. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the SWITCH tax-benefit microsimulation model has been used to assess replacing working family payment, one-parent family payment, jobseeker’s transitional payment and the child support payment with a supplementary child benefit; and, if so, to provide the results. [46669/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to explore the introduction of a targeted child benefit payment. In line with this commitment my Department launched a public consultation on May 5th on a potential new targeted child payment (also referred to as a second-tier child benefit) and working age payment. The consultation process concluded on June 12th.
The new targeted child payment seeks to simplify current payments options for families, providing similar support to families on similar incomes, without the need to be in receipt of a primary social welfare payment. This, in turn, aims to support the Government to meet its child poverty target of 3% consistent poverty by the end of the decade.
These are complex reforms, and it will take time to consider the input from the consultation process, and to progress a more detailed design. When a more detailed design is developed, extensive analysis will be undertaken to assess the effect of the change which will include modelling in the SWITCH system.
I trust this clarify the matter for the Deputy.
