Taoiseach Confirms New Child Benefit Scheme Ahead of Budget 2026

UPDATE: The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, has just announced that a new scheme resembling a second tier of child benefit will be introduced in the upcoming Budget 2026. This development comes as part of a broader initiative aimed at significantly reducing child poverty across Ireland.

During a press conference at the Child Poverty Summit held at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, Martin confirmed he is actively working on the proposal. He stated, “I had discussions last evening with the Minister for Social Protection and his officials. We will do something on that or equivalent to that.”

The announcement is a response to findings from the Economic and Social Research Institute, which identified a second tier of means-tested child benefit as the most cost-effective solution for tackling child poverty. The Taoiseach emphasized the importance of a careful approach, mentioning, “There are complexities in terms of getting such a system up in place, so we don’t want anyone to lose out.”

This initiative aligns with the government’s ambitious new target to reduce child poverty to 3% by the end of the decade. The Taoiseach assured that the goal will guide cross-government policies and direct investments toward families and children “who need it the most.”

Recent data from the CSO’s 2024 survey on income and living conditions revealed that the consistent poverty rate among children in Ireland stands at 8.5%. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for effective measures to alleviate economic hardship among vulnerable families.

As the government gears up for the budget discussions, the focus remains on prioritizing child poverty reduction. Martin stated, “The key objective is to reduce child poverty over the next number of years. The first manifestation of our efforts there will be the forthcoming Budget.”

With significant discussions already underway, the public is eager to see how these plans will unfold. The Taoiseach’s commitment to enhancing child welfare reflects a growing recognition of the pressing issues faced by families across Ireland.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The government aims to ensure a safety net for children and vulnerable families, promising to unveil further details in the coming weeks.