Taoiseach rules out second, means-tested rate of child benefit in budget

Speaking at the Ploughing Championships, Mr Harris has also refused to confirm a commitment made by Finance Minister Jack Chambers that energy credits would be included in next month's budget.

The Taoiseach has ruled out a second rate of child benefit within the lifetime of this Government, but is open to the idea in the future.

Last year, then taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government was considering introducing a means-tested second tier of child benefit, but said it would not be possible to implement in 2024. 

Simon Harris has now confirmed that support, which campaign groups say would address child poverty, will not form part of Budget 2025.

Asked about introducing a second higher rate of child benefit to support the most vulnerable families, Mr Harris said: "I certainly don't rule out the idea of having two rates of child benefit, but I do rule out being able to do it in the budget, because I don't believe even administratively it would be possible to do it in this budget."

He said he "fully believes" target measures for children most in need should be rolled out, but he added there was also room in the budget for more universal measures.

"We have a number of ways that we already help. The Working Family Payment is one, the Qualified Child Allowance is another. I believe they're the two most effective tools if you want to lift people out of child poverty, and over time, and not in this budget, but in the lifetime of another government, could you actually see such payments form a new rate of child benefit paid to children most in need? I think you could."

Speaking at the Ploughing Championships, Mr Harris has also refused to confirm a commitment made by Finance Minister Jack Chambers that energy credits would be included in next month's budget.

Mr Harris suggested politicians are promising budget measures "with great certainty" but he said the Government has not signed off on any decisions.