Recent discussions have circulated regarding a potential new €250 monthly child support payment in Ireland set to begin in 2025. While there isn’t a universal, standalone state benefit of exactly €250 per month for all children, significant changes and increases to various child-related social welfare payments have indeed come into effect in 2025 as part of Budget 2025 measures. This article aims to clarify the situation and detail the actual supports available to families in Ireland.
It’s important to distinguish between state-provided child benefits or allowances and court-ordered child support, which is typically a payment made by one parent to the other following separation or divorce. The €250 figure likely refers to an increase or element within the broader system of state support for families, rather than a new form of mandated payment between parents.
Key Changes and Payments in 2025:
Budget 2025, announced in late 2024, brought several enhancements to social welfare payments aimed at supporting families and children. While a universal €250 monthly payment hasn’t been introduced, some changes, particularly to the Child Support Payment (formerly known as the Increase for a Qualified Child), when combined with other benefits, could lead to an increased total income for eligible families.
Here’s a breakdown of relevant changes effective from January 2025 (unless otherwise noted):
Child Support Payment (formerly Increase for a Qualified Child): This payment, made in respect of a qualified child on a parent’s primary social welfare payment, saw an increase. The weekly rates are:
- €50 per week for children under 12 (an increase of €4).
- €62 per week for children aged 12 and over (an increase of €8).
While not a universal €250 per month per child, these increases mean that a parent receiving a primary social welfare payment could get approximately €200 per month for a child under 12 or €248 per month for a child aged 12 or over, in addition to their main payment and other potential allowances.
Child Benefit: The universal Child Benefit remains at €140 per month for each child. This payment is made to parents or guardians regardless of income or social insurance contributions for children up to age 16, and for 16-18 year olds who are in full-time education or have a disability. There was a one-off double payment of Child Benefit made in late 2024.
Newborn Baby Grant: For babies born or adopted on or after December 1, 2024, a one-off Newborn Baby Grant of €280 is paid alongside the first monthly Child Benefit payment, resulting in an initial payment of €420 for the newborn.
Working Family Payment (WFP): Income thresholds for the Working Family Payment, a weekly tax-free payment available to employees on low pay with children, increased by €60 per week for all family sizes from January 2025. This makes the payment accessible to more low-income working families and can provide substantial additional weekly income depending on family size and income.
Domiciliary Care Allowance: This monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability requiring ongoing care and attention substantially in excess of a child of the same age saw an increase of €20 per month, bringing the rate to €360 per month.
Putting it in Perspective:
While a direct, universal €250 monthly “child support payment” for every child doesn’t exist in Ireland’s 2025 social welfare landscape, the combined effect of increases to the Child Support Payment (for those on eligible social welfare payments) and the continued Child Benefit, alongside other targeted measures like the Working Family Payment and Domiciliary Care Allowance, provides enhanced financial support to families.
For a family receiving a primary social welfare payment, the increase in the Child Support Payment brings the per-child amount closer to the €250 figure when considered on a monthly basis (€50/week is €200/month; €62/week is €248/month). However, eligibility for this payment is tied to receiving a qualifying social welfare payment, unlike the universal Child Benefit.
The Irish government has emphasized its focus on addressing child poverty and providing greater financial assistance to families through these Budget 2025 measures. Families are encouraged to check their eligibility for the various payments and schemes available via the Department of Social Protection and Citizens Information websites.