Budget 2027 · Families and children
Budget 2027 for families: Child Benefit, childcare and child payments
Child Benefit, the Child Support Payment and childcare subsidies are where most family supports come from. Here is what each is worth now and what Budget 2027 is expected to do.
Updated 4 October 2026. Budget day is Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Before, now and Budget 2027
Families and children: what's going up, what's going down
In Budget 2026, of the 6 rates shown: 5 went up, 0 went down and 1 stayed the same.
| What | Before Budget 2026 | Now | Budget 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child BenefitPer childUnchanged in Budget 2026Source: Citizens Information | €140 a month | €140 a monthNo change | Due 6 Oct |
| Child Support PaymentChild under 12, full rateFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €50 a week | €58 a week+€8 | Due 6 Oct |
| Child Support PaymentChild 12 or over, full rateFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €62 a week | €78 a week+€16 | Due 6 Oct |
| One-Parent Family PaymentPersonal rateFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €244 a week | €254 a week+€10 | Due 6 Oct |
| Working Family Payment income limitFamily with one childLimits rose by €60 for every family sizeSource: Citizens Information | €705 a week | €765 a week+€60 | Due 6 Oct |
| Domiciliary Care AllowancePer childFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €360 a month | €380 a month+€20 | Due 6 Oct |
Predictions
What's expected in Budget 2027
From named reports, with exact quotes. These are not decisions until Budget day.
1 likely1 possible
- Likely
Bigger childcare subsidies from January
The Government aims to bring childcare to €200 a month per child over its term. Extra subsidies may start in January rather than September.
It is expected that increased subsidies will be rolled out from January.
Irish Examiner, Elaine Loughlin · 28 Sept
Will it happen? - Possible
Child Benefit stays at €140 a month
Extra help for children is expected to go through targeted payments such as the Child Support Payment instead.
the main child benefit rate may stay where it is.
The Irish Times · 16 Sept
Will it happen?
Questions
Families and children: your questions answered
Child Benefit is €140 a month per child. Budget 2026 left it unchanged. Any change for 2027 will be confirmed on Budget day.
The Government aims to bring childcare to €200 a month per child over its term. The Irish Examiner reports that bigger subsidies are expected from January.
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