Latest double €280 Child Benefit update after August promise for 650k Irish families amid new ‘targeted' payment plan
THE Department of Social Protection has confirmed that the Government is exploring a new "targeted" Child Benefit payment.
However, a
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Parents expected the €280 double payment should not rely on the money
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
In November 2024, then Taoiseach
In a post on Instagram, he said: "A double child benefit payment every August to help parents with costs, particularly around the costs of schools and the additional costs parents often face over the summer.
"Please share to spread the word. I need your support for Fine Gael so I can get on with delivering on this agenda."
Harris also pledged to ensure parents
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However, his proposed August double payment is unlikely to happen as the double payment was not included in the
The programme instead vows to introduce Pay Related Parents Benefit, explore the extension of Parents Leave, continue to "support families with cost of raising their family through the Child Benefit payment" and increase core welfare payments.
It also outlines plans for a "targeted" Child Benefit payment.
When asked if the double August Child Benefit is being considered, the Department of Social Protection confirmed that the boost is not outlined in the Programme for Government.
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A spokesperson told The Irish Sun: "The Programme for Government commitments relating to Child Benefit are to:
Continue to support families with the cost of raising their family through the Child Benefit payment, and
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.
Minister Heather Humphreys backs quadrupling child benefit payment
"The Department is working to advance these commitments and, in any event, schemes, including Child Benefit, are kept under review in the context of the annual budget process."
The Programme for Government states that it is "committed" to
Separately, thousands of parents across Ireland will receive their €140 monthly
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CHILD BENEFIT PAY DATES
WE have compiled a list of all the dates Child Benefit is set to be paid out for the rest of the year - including the months the boost could be paid early.
6th May - paid early due to May Bank Holiday
3rd June - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday
1st July
5th August - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday
2nd September
7th October
4th November
The cash
is
on the first Tuesday of every month.
However, it has been confirmed that the sum, worth €140 for each child, due to be paid on Tuesday, May 6 will arrive into accounts a few days early.
Any
The schedule change is due to the May
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And the closure means any social welfare payments due on the Monday, as well as Child Benefit on the Tuesday, will be made available on either Friday, May 2, or Saturday, May 3 instead.
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