Irish children of British workers set for benefits rise

Irish workers in Britain, whose children remain in Ireland, should receive an increase in child benefit from the British government under the terms of its deal to stay in the EU.

The agreement includes a provision to index-link child benefit to the GDP of the member state where the children live, and that it would rise as well as fall.

Working on purchasing power parity — the cost of buying the same goods in countries — Ireland is at 130% of the EU average, while Britain is at 109%, which should mean Irish workers in Britain whose children are here would be eligible for a benefit hike.