Budget 2026 has been criticised roundly as a conservative budget, but there were some increases to certain payments.
In the budget, Child Support Payment was increased. There is weekly increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 and over. This brings the annual payment for kids aged 12 and over up to €4,056.
There is also a weekly increase of €8 to €58 for children under 12, bringing the annual payment for children in that age cohort up to €3,016.
How can people apply for this payment?
Child Support Payment was previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child, and people on specific social welfare payments will qualify for it.
A social welfare payment is made up of a weekly amount for the claimant, called the personal rate. People can also get an extra amount for a child, called Child Support Payment.
To get a Child Support Payment (CSP), your child must:
Normally live with you Meet the age requirement for that payment Be resident in the State Not be in legal custody (detained in a detention school)
Your child does not have to be financially dependent on you for you to qualify for this payment. Your child can work and earn money, without affecting the increase paid to you. The payment can also be paid on behalf of foster children.
However, you generally do not get a CSP if your child is getting their own social welfare payment, except in certain circumstances.
If you are getting Child Support Payment during the summer holiday between academic years and your child becomes entitled to a social welfare payment in their own right, you will continue to get Child Support Payment. Instead, your child's payment is reduced by the amount of the Child Support Payment.
You do not get a Child Support Payment (CSP) with the following payments:
Working Family Payment Guardian's Payment (Contributory) Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension Death Benefit by way of Orphan’s Payment
You do not get a CSP if the gross income of your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is over €400, and you get one of the following payments:
Illness Benefit Injury Benefit Health and Safety Benefit Jobseeker's Benefit or Disablement Benefit (Incapacity Supplement) Invalidity Pension Carer's Benefit State Pension (Contributory)
If your child is over 18, you can still get the payment in some circumstances.
You can continue to get Child Support Payment for three months after they leave second level education or finish the Leaving Certificate, as long as they are not getting a social welfare payment in their own right.
Child Support Payment can continue to be paid if your child starts work immediately after finishing school.
If you are getting a long-term social welfare payment and your child is in full-time education, Child Support Payment will be paid up to age 22 or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22.
