Children in direct provision 'excluded' as double child benefit to be paid

Children's Rights Alliance CEO Tanya Ward says children and young people in direct provision 'have watched budget after budget go by without any increases to the income support they receive.'

As more than a million children receive the first of two double child benefit payments, children and young people in direct provision will once again watch from the sidelines, according to children’s right advocates.

There has been “absolutely no progress” made on vital income support for children living in direct provision, despite budget promises, according to the Children’s Rights Alliance. Budget 2025 included €8.4m for an International Protection Child Payment.