Social Justice Ireland lays out pre-Budget submission as 'child poverty does not exist in a vacuum'

Called on the Government to benchmark social welfare rates in Budget 2027 as a means of tackling poverty

At the recent End Child Poverty Week event were Dr Sharon Lambert, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology University College Cork, Michelle Murphy - Research and Policy Analyst, Social Justice Ireland, and Moninne Griffith, Community Foundation Ireland. On Monday, Social Justice Ireland laid out its pre-Budget submission. Picture: Damien Eagers / Julien Behal

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026 - 03:04

Martin Claffey

Social Justice Ireland has called on the Government to benchmark social welfare rates in Budget 2027 as a means of tackling poverty in Ireland.

In its pre-Budget submission, it said comments by Taoiseach Mícheál Martin on the need to prioritise families and children in Budget 2027 are welcome but need specific interventions in October’s Budget. Social Justice Ireland also called for a €15 weekly increase in core social welfare rates and a €20 increase in child benefit.

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“Child poverty does not exist in a vacuum. More than 200,000 children live in poverty in Ireland. They live in families, and these families need support in the forthcoming Budget," said Social Justice Ireland research and policy analyst Susanne Rogers. "The best means to address child poverty, and to support vulnerable households is to prioritise low-income welfare dependent families in Budgetary policy.

“Social Justice Ireland is calling on the Minister for Social Protection to commit to benchmarking social welfare rates to 27.5% of average weekly earnings in Budget 2027. This can be done over two budget cycles and requires a €15 increase in core social welfare rates in Budget 2027 and a further €10 increase in Budget 2028. Real progress on child and family poverty requires progress on household income. And for the most vulnerable children and their families this means increases in weekly social welfare payments."

Social Justice Ireland called for an increase in Child Support Payments of €10 for children under 12 and €18 for children over 12. It also proposes extending Housing First to families who are homeless.