2114. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the child support payment by €10 per week for children under 12 years-of-age and by €18 per week for children aged 12 years-of-age and over in Budget 2027, as recommended by an organisation (details supplied); and the estimated cost of implementing these increases. [63912/26]

The Government remains committed to supporting all families in caring for their children through a wide range of supports, available across Departments to ease the financial pressures on families.

Most weekly social welfare payments include an amount called a Child Support Payment in respect of each qualified child up to the age of 18, which is extended to encompass older children to age 22 under certain circumstances. The rate of the Child Support Payment is higher for children aged 12 years and over, reflecting the higher costs involved in raising older children.

The Child Support Payment provides targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby supports low-income families with children. We know, for example through ESRI research, that increases in the Child Support Payment are very effective at tackling child poverty. This is why payment rates of the Child Support Payment were increased significantly in Budget 2026.

Budget 2026 introduced the largest increase in the Child Support Payment in the history of the State with increases of €8 per week for children under 12 and €16 for children aged 12 and over. These increases brought payments up to €58 per week for children under 12, and €78 per week for children aged 12 and over.

Since 2020, the Child Support Payment has seen a 61% (€22) increase in the weekly rate of payment for children under 12 years, and a 95% (€38) increase for children aged 12 and over.

The estimated annual cost of increasing the Child Support Payment by €10 for children under 12 is €85.9 million.

The estimated annual cost of increasing the Child Support Payment by €18 for children 12 and over is €110.2 million.

It should be noted the above costings are based on estimated numbers of recipients and are subject to change in context of emerging trends and associated revision of the number of recipients for 2027.