Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
292. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is an age limit for the new baby grant concerning adoptive children; what the age limit is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18201/25]
View answerChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16,17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves. Child Benefit becomes payable in respect of newborn babies in the month after their birth.
As part of Budget 2025, a new baby grant of €280 was introduced. This is paid to families of babies born on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month’s Child Benefit payment of €140. It is a once-off payment paid to the qualified person, provided that person did not so qualify on a date later than one month after the birth or the date of placement of the qualified child.
It is important to note that, as the newborn baby grant is paid automatically with Child Benefit payments, there is no additional application for the grant, so parents and adoptive parents of new babies do not need to do anything extra to receive the grant.
