Families will receive a double child benefit payment tomorrow while a Christmas bonus to people including pensioners, carers and those with Disabilities will be paid this week, according to Deputy Emer Higgins, local TD for Dublin Mid West.
Higgins welcomed confirmation from Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys that over 170k families will receive a double child benefit payment in respect of over 300k children in Dublin.
Higgins said: “Christmas is a very special time of year but I’m very conscious that it can also be a stressful and pressurising time for families. These payments are designed to put more money into the pockets of families and those who need assistance most.
“A total of €280 per child will be paid in respect of over 300k children in Dublin, which will go some way towards helping parents and guardians meet some of their expenses in the run-up to Christmas.
“Child Benefit is paid to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years.
“What is really helpful is that from September 2024, Child Benefit will be extended to 18-year-olds in full-time education. This will cover those at second level or otherwise while they remain in full time education (until their 19th birthday).
“Minister Humphreys also announced that the Christmas Bonus Payment will be made this week to people including Pensioners, Carers and People with Disabilities. People will receive their Christmas Bonus on the same day that they usually receive their weekly primary payment.
“This payment is an essential support, particularly for our senior citizens and it is part of Government’s commitment to helping individuals and families with the cost of living.
“As ever I would urge people where it is possible to so to support businesses here in Dublin Mid West by shopping locally particularly in the run up to Christmas,” Higgins said.
Announcing the details, Minister Humphreys said: “I am very conscious of the pressure families are under particularly in the run up to Christmas. Child Benefit is one of the few tools within the Department of Social Protection that I can use to support working families.
“I know from my days working in the Credit Union how much families depend on the monthly Child Benefit payment and I am delighted to announce details of this double payment today which will support hundreds of thousands of hardworking families across the country.”
Minister Humphreys added: “I am pleased to announce the details of the Christmas Bonus Payments today. Over 1.3 million people will benefit including our pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and lone parents.
“People will receive their Bonus payment on the same day that they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment.”
