2102. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration has been given to increasing the child benefit payment in the upcoming Budget 2027. [63868/26]

Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children up to the age of 16 years. Since 2024, the payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability.

Child Benefit is currently paid in respect of approximately 1.3 million children with estimated expenditure of €2.2 billion for 2026.

The current Child Benefit rate is €140 per month for each qualifying child, with higher rates for twins and other multiple births.

Announced in Budget 2025, the Newborn Baby Grant of €280 is paid automatically with the first month’s Child Benefit payment.

For context, the cost of increasing Child Benefit by 10% would result in additional annual expenditure on the scheme of approximately €212.7 million based on the estimated number of recipients in 2026.

As with all social welfare schemes, the Government keeps Child Benefit under ongoing review. Any changes to payment rates will be considered in the context of the annual Budget process for 2027, having regard to available resources, Government priorities and the overall package of social protection measures under consideration.