No extra child benefit in Budget 2027; disability payment is priority

The Irish government will not introduce an additional child benefit payment in Budget 2027, according to the Minister for Social Protection. The focus for the upcoming budget will instead be on a new cost-of-disability payment, signaling a shift in priorities for social welfare spending.

This announcement comes at a time when child poverty remains a significant concern in Ireland, with many families struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Child welfare advocates and opposition parties have been calling for increased support for families with children, arguing that existing benefits are insufficient to meet basic needs.

The Minister indicated that while child welfare is important, the immediate priority is to address the financial burdens faced by individuals and families with disabilities. The details of the cost-of-disability payment are expected to be announced closer to the budget, but the commitment to this specific measure suggests it will be a central feature of the government's social spending plans.

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The priority for this budget is a cost-of-disability payment.