Govt pays out in leap year babies bounty

The Government has begun paying out bounties promised for babies born on February 29 – leap year day.

The €100-a-time cash award pledge was made by Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan as a special gesture to mark the worldwide Year of the Family.

And today she confirmed the money had been handed over to the parents of the first of the children born on the once-in-four-years special date.

More bounties will be paid over the next few days as claims continue to be processed.

The total bill facing the exchequer has still to be worked out. But the average daily birth here is around 165, according to official figures.

Ms Coughlan coupled her announcement with a reminder to mothers who may have given birth at home, rather than in hospital, to make sure they apply for the grant.

She added: “It is hard to predict how many babies would be born on any day in the year, but each and every one of them, either singly, twins or multiple births, will be given the special payment to mark this International Year of the Family.

“Leap Years are special and babies born on the 29th will effectively have to wait for another four years for their birthday.

“I felt they should be given a special welcome this year as it is the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Year of the Family.”

The minister commented as the implementation continued in her department of a re-vamped service, aimed at cutting the waiting time for the payment of child benefits from a period of months down to hours.

Last week Ms Coughlan launched Ireland’s latest on-line birth registration system.

She said: “By cutting red tape we will speed up the system, make it more efficient and ensure speedy payment of benefits, and, in the future, extend it to pensions and other entitlements.”